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.

"The Session"

I've never known more obstinate people in all my life.

When I realized Pete was actually going to be home today, my mind instantly began leaning in the direction of family picture. Why, we would already be dressed up for church and all I needed was a little of their time and a few smiles. Include the fact that Big Dan was headed to get his head buzzed by the girlfriends dad...I figured it was now or never. I had no idea what I was in for. Everyone was starving, anxious to change clothes, and full of the sillies, but after many, many, MANY shots,we managed to get a couple, yes, just a couple of good shots for a photo Christmas card this year.

Here is where I need your help. I have narrowed it down to these two. I have looked over them and looked over them but I just can't decide. Although I look horrible in both of these, there are things I like and dislike about both shots. I am just so not photogenic. Anyway, I know I can count of you guys to tell me which one I should use for my card.

A.
or B.
Here are some outtakes from today's session.

Okay, people can we please stop playing fetch with the dog and get on with it! And that's a hugemongus stick!

And again I say.....places please!

Take number 152!! Please smile doggie...pleeeeeease!

A Beautiful Story

Before I get to the point of this post, I just wanted to let all my facebook and blog friends know I didn't really go blonde Thursday when I went to the beauty salon. I went in with all intentions of getting lots of highlights that would give my hair an overall blonde look, but when I got there my hairdresser decided I should mix some darker streaking in with the highlights. Normally, my analytical personality would have been tossing any detour from the original thought around for a while, but on this day, I thought...why not? So, in all reality, I'm still a red head. I'm just an assortment of shades.

(laughing)...So there you have it. And you can totally see my scalp. I'm glad I didn't have dandruff!!

Last night the girls and I got together for our monthly Bible Study. It was a special one this month because not only did we get to stuff ourselves with all kinds of delicious holiday foods, we had such sweet, sweet fellowship and had our Secret Sister reveal. I had no idea who mine was until her daughter had a little slip up a few weeks ago. lol. She was a great one!!

Notice Chickadee's baby belly. She is less than 2 weeks from her due date. We all got to ooo and ahhh over little chickadees movements and the fact that after 4 pregnancy's, she does not have ONE SINGLE STRETCH MARK!!! So, what do you think of that? That is soooo not right. I'm still stretching and marking even 10 years later!

I love the fact that we get together every month. Although we have gone to church together for years, getting together outside of church, in one another's homes, just makes our friendships so much stronger.


One of the highlights of the evening was when the Christmas story was read. What a beautiful story to be told. And although we unwrapped lots of gifts last night, when that story was being read from God's word, oh how the room was filled with tears and touched hearts just by hearing those beautiful words. Jesus Christ really is what the season is all about.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over the flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is to come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2: 1-20

Have a wonderful weekend.

A Special Treat

Well, it was a special treat for me at least.

I've been waiting and waiting for Big Dan's Senior portraits. It seems like forever. The original school photographer took them back in June the week Little Ann and I were gone to church camp of all times. Now, I know you're thinking with Big Dan starting his Senior year, he should've been able to get ready for a picture by himself, but needless to say I was stressed about him tackling that without me around.

Sure enough he didn't wear what I wanted him to wear and seemed to be having (in my opinion) a bad hair day. Maybe I was too picky. That's what he says. I know. I am a little OCD. I will admit it. They didn't give us very many to choose from and their prices were much too high, so I went with plan B.

I have a friend that does photography on the side and she agreed to take them. They were so much better and her prices beat the schools hands down. I ordered so many and plan on giving some in frames as Christmas gifts to grandparents. Here is a slide show my friend put together of the proofs for me to share with you. I was hoping for a little better quality, but it's ok. Blame it on blogger.



I chose this background song because I absolutely love the words. I am actually using this on Big Dan's Senior ad page in the yearbook. Just in case you've never really listened to them, I have typed them out. They are perfect for what I want to say to my baby graduating and heading out into the real world.


My Wish by Rascal Flatts
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go.
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window.
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
More than anything, more than anything.

Chorus:
My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold.
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too.
Yeah, this is..........my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
All the ones who love you in the place you left.
I hope you always forgive and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get.
Oh, you find God's grace in every mistake,
And you give more than you take.
More than anything, more than anything.

Repeat the chorus.

Good, huh?

Wordless Wednesday - NOT!

-Three very frustrated customers because that big red box refused to take our movies. Hmmm. Wonder how much that's gonna cost me at $1 a day.
-Two overloaded buggy's full of groceries and only me, myself and I to push them. (Wow, that was fun.)
-One security alarm activated by Indiana Jones on my way out. (Which constituted lots of looks from passers by, me digging for a receipt and a poor little old lady who really should be at home watching The Price is Right rummaging through my two buggy fulls...whatever!)

Oh, and a partridge in a pear tree.

And did I mention I loathe sharing Walmart with 5,000 other people?

BUT...I got Big Dan's senior portraits in today and that makes it all better.
Happy Hump Day.

Christmas Shopping

My dear mother and I went shopping today. For Christmas gifts. And it was a very long day, but productive. And she was such a trooper. She let me do whatever I needed, even if it meant she had to wait in the car because once I get started, there's no stoppin' me!


I got lots of great deals. The best one I think was that coat you see sticking out of that pink bag. Regular 79.50. I got it for 27.00. With my too bucks, ya know. I love too bucks. They just make me smile!! :)

And I just have to say Target rocks. I live about 10 minutes from a Walmart and unfortunately that is where I do my shopping. I like the supercenter thing because I only have to go one place, but even though it's only a few years old, it seems to always be dirty, understocked, and so crowded. They have obviously remodeled the Target in the big city, and shopping there today was like total heaven. So clean, spacious and so many different things to choose from than Walmart. I was so impressed when I walked in to find a Starbucks and a Pizza Hut express. In Target?? Coolness.

Anyway, the thing that I loved the most was the buggy. I just wanted to take it with me for all my shopping excursions. It looked like something from "The Jetsons", kind of futuristic, but I was most impressed with the fact that it rolled so smoothly and kept me on the straight and narrow instead of trying to force me into my daily workout.

I will say, I'm not quite done yet, but feeling great about having it this close on December 2!

Online Shoppers...A Must Read

In all honesty, I haven't done much online shopping. I am usually oblivious to what I want to even buy every year until I actually get out of the house and "look" at what fits each one's personality...unless the kids have something specific on their list.

This year, Little Ann's list is a mile long, but Big Dan hasn't said much. I had things in mind I wanted to get for them both...things not sold in stores. So...I had to go ONLINE.

Today, this is what I found out. Just after I placed a mega order with baseball express.com, did Pete read our email. In it, we had all kinds of mail from retailers offering great discounts on this what they call "Cyber Monday". I had free shipping offers, 25% off discounts, and even up to 60% online offers from places such as American Girl, Bath and Body Works, American Eagle, Cymax, etc. Baseball express was offering free shipping and 10% off the order.

Needless to say, I called them and they recalculated my order saving me quite a bit. YEA!!! So, here's my little tidbit. Don't let this day pass without checking into it. Every little bit helps especially this time of year!