Is it Friday Yet?

So, I stayed up way too late last night waiting on a combination of things....Little Ann to empty the dishwasher so I could load it, the nice clothes to finish drying so I could get them out immediately, and Big Dan at a concert that lasted much too long for a school night. Anyway...I said all that to say...I was a little tired and cranky for my art students today and it didn't take long before my head was throbbing making it all together worse.

I can already tell this is going to be one of those weeks. I think Christmas is in the air at the High School..well, the thought of Christmas break anyway. Getting anybody to do anything but clown was next to impossible. I took my camera to try to help Big Dan get a few (required for English) Senior scrapbook pictures. See what I have to put up with?

Yes, these are Seniors, and yes, Big Dan is eating a sandwich....in Art class. What's mom gonna do..give him d-hall?

And I wish I could say they were just goofin' for pictures, but unfortunately this is really how they act on a daily basis. Maybe it's just because I'm "Big Dan's mom" and I'm just cool like that. Whatever it is...it stresses me. We'll hope my principal doesn't read my blog.

Tonight was our Girl Scout meeting and Christmas party. Look what the girls did...

Isn't this just adorable? I guess making a gingerbread house is one thing I don't think I have ever done before.

Like I said, I can feel another crazy week coming on. I am MAKING myself stay home tomorrow and get this house in order. I would absolutely DIE right now if I had company. I just want to be able to enjoy my Christmas decor without having to look at all this other clutter. You can't even get through for all the Christmas presents, boxes, wrapping paper, and paraphernalia lying around...despite the fact that Little Ann keeps reminding me that she doesn't have a gift wrapped under the tree yet..and everyone else at school does (sniff, sniff). I think she's trying to make me feel guilty. It's working. We've got church, more shopping, dress rehearsals, and more parties coming up the remainder of the week.

With December being the time everyone is preparing lots of finger food dishes (and because my pregnant friend, Chickadee is craving this), I thought I'd share the recipe on the blog. This is another one of my mom's recipes. Have I mentioned what a great cook she is?

Parmesan Chicken Wings

In a medium bowl, mix together:

1/2 c Parmesan Cheese

1 T Parsley flakes

1 t Paprika

1/2 T Oregano

1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper

Moisten your wings and cover with dry mixture. You can shake them in a bag (like shake n bake) or just dip individually. Place on a foil lined baking pan and bake approx. 45 minutes.

These are soooo good and perfect sized for parties. I usually double my recipe for tastier wings or a bigger serving.

And last but not least, April gave me this sweet award and I just wanted to send her a big ol' Thank You!!! This is really special because this award is supposed to be bestowed upon bloggers who aim to find and be friends and it means a lot that she would pass it on to me. April's blog is always uplifting and meaningful and she is just the sweetest thing, so go visit her if you get a chance.

A List (or Two)

1. Look what I did yesterday!!!

And I didn't do it with that stick I'm holding, but I'm old and my jeans were tight so I was grasping at whatever I could find to hold me up when I squatted down. lol.

2. Several of you have expressed interest in my Miracle Whip cake recipe, so just in time for the holidays...here you go. Let me know if you try it and what you think!!!

In large mixing bowl:
1 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing
1 cup water
1 cup sugar (I use a tad over a cup)
1 t. vanilla

Sift together separately:
2 cups flour
4 T. cocoa
1/2 t. salt
2 t. soda
Add sifted ingredients a little at a time to other mixture. Beat until smooth. I bake in a bundt pan at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes depending on your oven.

After cake cools, I use this little recipe for the icing.
1/3 stick cream cheese
2 T. stick butter
1/2 t. vanilla
Cream till fluffy. Add powdered sugar until you get it to the consistency you want. adding a little milk gradually. (A teaspoon or so at a time). Ice. YUMMY!

3. Angie awarded me with this today...

Thank you Angie!! You are supposed to list 5 things you love so here is another list.

1. I love chocolate milk. I know I've told you this before I'm sure, but I just can't live without it. I try and try, but I CAN'T DO IT!

2. I love Chili's chips and salsa. It is cheap and I can eat it until I am sick!..and I think I will have that tonight since I'm headed out shortly to buy groceries.

3. I love my camera. I hardly ever leave home without it. I wanted to take a picture of it...but hmmm....I couldn't quite figure that one out!

4. I love my heater. It goes everywhere I go especially in the winter time. Pete likes the house cool. I like it warm (80 is just fine..REALLY). So, when Pete's home, Mr. Heater and I are always together!

5. I love this hand blender. My mom introduced me to this several years back. I have issues with chunky stuff like big tomatoes in my chili, soup or cheese dip, etc. This works great to blend it up a little. Works perfect for me!! (Hey, shouldn't that be on a 'Works for me Wednesday post?') ha.


I am lovin' so many of your blogs, it's always hard to pick. It's a busy time of year, so I'm not going to obligate any of you. If you are on my "stalk list" (or not)....Consider yourself tagged!!

Long Overdue

I received a real life gift, several awards, memes and tags during the month of October, but it seemed as though the last few days of October and the first ones of November have been full of semi-interesting things to blog about. Some good, some not so good, but nevertheless, in my opinion, post-worthy.

However, I feel like such a bad bloggy friend for not acknowledging my wonderful award givers sooner than this. So, without further adieu, I am giving big hugs to the following people:

Naomi sent me this sweet, thoughtful package of scrapbooking goodies all the way from Australia. Inside I found some butterfly stickers, a memo pad with koala bears on it, a pouch with girly ribbons, flowers, etc. inside, and a precious rub on quote that said " Children and mothers never truly part, bound in the beating of each other's heart." That meant so much to me. She said that she had to pick this up after reading all about my empty nest syndrome..lol..

Heidi bestowed upon me the "Best Blogging Friend" award. Thanks Heidi!! Ditto to you girl!

Tonda gave me the "I love your Blog" award, and the "Kreativ Blogger" award. Thank you much, Tonda. I'm so glad you started blogging...(although you don't post often enough..hint, hint.)

April awarded me not only a "Kreativ Blogger" award, but a "Real Life" award. My blog is definitely about real life. Pretty much as real as you can get...lol. In fact there seems to be so much drama in my life I have no need to add anything extra! (grin)

I was tagged by Angie with that crazy book tag...soooo, even though I'm cheating a little, this is what I've got. The book is called "Boundaries with Teens". Great book. (From what few chapters I started reading) Page 56 had some boring content, so I moved on over to page 57 and the first full paragraph of that page says this: My friend was talking about rescuing teens from experiencing their consequences. Parents who rescue their adolescents often do so out of guilt. They already feel bad about their kid's situation, and often feel partially responsible that their child doesn't have two parents in the home. (This chapter was mainly talking about single parenting). I'm not even a single parent (anymore), but wow, do I do this! Ok, Ang...good enough???

Aubs also tagged me with a "mommy and me" meme, which I really do want to do. I am going to wait a little while longer on that one though. I still need to think about my answers, and find a good picture of me and my kids.

And....last but not least, with the "Kreativ Blogger" award comes a list of 6 things that make me happy so here is my list:

1. Blogging. This has become very therapeutic for me. I love being able to just let it all out and then having such faithful readers comment with advice or just a supporting word. I love you guys.

2. A clean house. Something about being organized with everything in it's appropriate place that makes me feel like I've got it all together...(even though I don't. I can think it anyway, huh?)

3. Sour gummi worms and fruity flavors of gum. My best friend knows not to ask me for gum, because I am sure to offer her some weird flavor of bannana strawberry with a little dash of watermelon or something like that.

4. A completed scrapbook page. I love this hobby. It rocks!

5. Cheering Big Dan on in whatever he is playing at the time. I am totally his BIGGEST fan and I have NEVER missed a single game in all the years he has played in any sport he has played.

6. Snuggling with Little Ann. She is 100% my snuggle bunny. She sleeps with me every night that Pete isn't home, and if he is home, I lie down with her in her bed until she falls asleep. These times are so special to me because with Big Dan being 18, I realize how fast the years get away.

(((((BIG HUGS))))) to all of you!!! I hope I haven't forgotten anything!

Another Life Lesson and some AWARDS!!

No, I'm not a preacher.

But, I have found that my latest morning devotionals have bit me right in the buttocks! I know from reading some of your past posts that you are going through some of the same things as well, and I just wanted to share these thoughts..or reminders. If they help you, then it was worth it.

Do you have the same problem with that sharp little tool between your teeth that I do?

Proverbs 12:18-19 - Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

The tongue is a two-edged instrument of power. With it we can lash apart a loved one, leaving deep scars. We've seen our children's confidence wilt after our tongues strike a blow. We have torn our husbands apart thoughtlessly with our condemning words. The tongue has the power to destroy.

BUT.. thank goodness it also has the power to build up and heal. It can just as easily offer solace for the open wounds around us. Why don't we try those 3 little word groupings such as "You look great".."Good for you!" or "I love you" more often. And how about this one? "I forgive you". These can transform our human lives.

Ok, I just thought that was good. Hope you did too.

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AWARD TIME!

Guys, I have just been so blessed with the greatest bloggy friends and I thank you so, so much for these awards. I look forward to reading your posts every day and I get so excited writing my own and then checking in to see what you have to say about it. I love your encouragement, your wit and the way you make me smile. Because I have 3 awards and a blog roll that isn't very long...I'm only going to choose 3 for each award. Although I would give you all an award. If I didn't love your blog, you wouldn't be on my list!

This first award is the SMILE award. There are several characteristics that one must display in order to be considered for this award. They are:
-displaying a cheerful attitude
-showing love to others
-makes mistakes
-learns from others
-contribute positively to the blog world
-loves life and kids!

For this award I choose:
1. Big Mama's Blog - Oh. my. goodness. Does she ever make me smile. There isn't a post that she writes that doesn't have me grinning from ear to ear. Even when she's sick, she cracks me up!

2. His Girl's Blog - Amber is a funny one too. I so enjoyed the post where she videoed herself. She is deep and profound, but she can definitely make me smile!

3. Sugar and Spice - Although I just recently added her to my blog roll, this girl has always got something interesting going on in her life. With as many little girls as she has in her family, it's got to be exciting. I love how she takes the good with the bad and continues to smile. She deserves a smile award hands down.

You know the rules. Your supposed to choose 5 to pass this along to. Of course, post the characteristics and the rules for this award. Make sure you link back to who gave it to you and be sure and thank them, and share your win with the rest of the blog world.

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The next award is the BFF (Blogging Friends Forever). Of course the rules for this one is to pick 5 and pass it on. Four of who you choose are to be dedicated followers and one who is a newbie or lives in a far away land.

1. Can you do this? I don't know, but I'm sending this award right back to April who gave it to me. She is a dedicated follower and I so wish I knew her in real life. We have lots in common and I love hearing from her every day. Thanks April and here's right back at ya!!

2. This one is for my dear friend, Angie. She is so much like me it's scary right down to the red hair. She is another one I'd really like to meet. She is very dedicated to my blog and was one of my very 1st commenters. Thank you Angie!

3. I have to give this to Naomi for sure. She is a special one too. She always knows how to lift my spirits when I'm down and boosts my confidence every time I post a scrapbook page. She lives in Australia and how I would love to hear that Aussie accent. (lol)

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And last but not least, the "I love your blog" award. This one is hard, because I love all of your blogs, but being as how I'm only choosing 3, makes it tough.

1. Chickadee has to get this one. I love her blog with all my heart. Reading her blog was how I even entered into the blog world myself. She has been a real life long friend of mine. We go to church together and our girls are friends. She is such an excellent writer and her post are always wonderful and refreshing to read.

2. Christy deserves this award too. I absolutely love her blog. She has the sweetest disposition about her. I love how she writes the most precious things about her family and oh, how she loves the Lord. I never miss a post. They are invigorating to me.

3. This last one goes to Rae. Rae is a frequent commenter of my blog too, and I appreciate her. Her posts are real. If she feels it, she writes it and I admire that. I especially liked the letter she wrote to the little guy with the potty mouth. You go girl.

Of course the rules are: Recipients put the logo on their blog, link back to the person that sent it, nominate 7 others, and link up to them. Make sure you leave messages for everyone telling them they've been nominated!

Wishing everyone a happy Thursday!

An Award, A Nice Surprise and a "Backwards" WFMW

First off, I want to say THANK YOU girl to Shannon for the award she gave me. I've only been blogging since June and it was my first one. Yea!! And to get it for scrapbook pages. How flattering. I know there are many more elaborate ones out there, and I often am my own worst critic. Nice to know there are people that think they are good. That really boosted my confidence.

I would like to pass this award on to Nicole at Our Cozy Nest. She is such a friendly gal, comments on my blog often with sweet sentiments and is also very creative. I get neat and creative ideas from her blog. So, Nicole...here ya go!!

Secondly, believe it or not, we are out of school today. I couldn't believe it. It's the first time I can remember them letting school out for rain, but I guess with Gustav wreaking havoc on the gulf and Arkansas getting some of it as well, the roads are flooded and they can't get busses routed. I also heard there were several in the area that had lost power. Not us yet, thank goodness, but I don't know about the school. The call came early this morning and was a nice surprise for the kids and me since I was scheduled to substitute at the High School today!! I just crawled right back into bed. ahhhh.

Being lazy today has constituted lots of time on the net. I just finished up with Rocks in my Dryer's backwards edition of Works for me Wednesday. She suggested we use this backwards day opportunity to seek advice from the blog world in hopes to help find a remedy for whatever our issue may be. I found it a great time to ask this question.

For years, I have used a product called De-Solv-It. Worked wonders getting cooking grease and other things out of laundry. Then, for some strange reason, I can not find it on shelves anywhere. I look every single time I go to Wal-Mart or anywhere I think might have it. I've even looked online, but can't find the same thing. With Big Dan coming home from Popeyes wearing lots of chicken grease, and Pete getting lots of Railroad ick on his clothes, I really need a remedy to this problem. Someone suggested Dawn dishwashing detergent, since it "really takes grease out", but I wondered if anyone else had any suggestions.