Trail of Lights

We have an outdoor theatre (the kind for plays, not movies) in town (come to think of it, we have a lot of outdoor things in town) and every year different organizations in town decorate little areas (it's a contest) and make the Trail of Lights. We go every year--often several times--and see the pretty displays, cook hot dogs, roast marshmallows, and drink hot cocoa. It's a delightful small town thing to do. I took my camera with me this year but only got two pictures before my battery died. (note to self--check battery before heading out to take pictures--duh!)

Anyway, here they are, Wyatt and Abigail:

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with happiness and love of family and friends. Be well!

Polar Express

We went on Thursday to the Rotary event for the kids at Christmas. Each year they do this but this is the first time we were able to go. One of the members (I think he's a member anyway) owns several train cars from the Silver Streek that used to run from Chicago to Las Angeles. The cars have been restored and he opens them up for the kids to see what passenger trains were like. He dresses like a conductor and reads The Polar Express to the kids. Then they are visited by Santa and each child receives a candy cane and a bell. I found that I must REALLY believe in Christmas because boy could I hear all of those bells ringing!! lol It was a good time and the kids really enjoyed looking in the passenger compartments in the cars.

This is one of the cabins with the seating made into the bed.

This is the same cabin with a veiw from the bed back towards the other seats.

That's the owner of the train cars in the chair by the tree. He's reading The Polar Express to the kids.
This is Wyatt with Santa. He's a Blue Santa because he 'helps' at the police department. His daughter was dressed as an elf in a great costume but I couldn't get a good picture of her.
Addison & Santa.
Kirsten,
And finally Abigail. :0)

Ponies!

I've been trying to get rid of these guys for awhile now. At first I was trying to sell them for what I paid for them. Then for about half of that. Now I'm down to just giving them to a good home. The kids aren't interested in riding or caring for them and they just cost too much money to have around as lawn ornaments. They really need to be in a home where the people know a little about horses - we don't and haven't learned much in the time that we've had them.



Last weekend I thought I had found the right people to take them in but they didn't return my phone calls or emails when I was going to deliver them. And then on Saturday morning Dax went out and found that one of them can't see!! How does that happen?!

I called the vet and he acted like I was crazy because the horse looks perfectly healthy but all of a sudden he's blind. He called me back on Monday to schedule a time to see the horse and I was a nervous wreck. He had been more than a little rude on the phone on Saturday. I felt like a little kid being send to the principal's office (only when I was a little kid, that didn't scare me. lol) I told my mom that I was really nervous that he was going to be mean to me (and although I can get my b*tch on I really don't like to have to resort to that if I don't have to.) Anyway, he came out on Monday and was much more friendly to me after he saw that I'm not (completely) crazy and the horse really does look healthy overall. I swear, if you didn't know how he usually acts you would never know. It appears that he's gotten some sort of infection and/or inflamation behind his eyes. So now I have to go out twice a day and squirt goop in his eyes and antibiotics down his throat -- he's not particularly cooperative as I'm sure you can imagine.

Well, last night I talked to the original lady again. She had had to leave town because there was a death in the family. I explained to her everything that had happened over the weekend and the horse's condition and joy of joy, she still wants them both. Woohoo!! (happy dance goes here) I am thrilled that someone is willing to care and give a home to a pony that may be permanently blind. The vet was talking about putting him down and I just can't do that to him when there's nothing else wrong with him. I hope they have a wonderful and happy new home with these people.

Thankful Thursday

It's been too long since I've stopped to give actual thought to the things that I'm thankful for. It's not the big obvious things that I like to pause and think about. It's the little things that I all too often take for granted.

I am thankful for our vehicles. It's comforting to know that when I get up in the morning that I don't have to worry about whether or not I can get to work. It hasn't always been that way, and I'm grateful that it is now.

I am thankful for the snow on the ground yesterday. It was only a small little bit but the kids were thrilled. They happily ran around and played with each other in the morning before school with no arguments. That's all too rare at our house. :0)

Last night I suggested to Addison (who loves to help in the kitchen) that we make dog treats and take to the animal shelter for Christmas. She happily and excitedly agreed and then Wyatt chimed in that he wanted to help too. I'm thankful for their giving hearts. It gives me the warm fuzzies that they are caring little people and I pray that they don't lose that as they get older.

I'm thankful that we have stained concrete floors. Every time it rains and the dogs and kids track mud all over the floor I'm grateful that I can just mop it up rather than having to clean the carpet.

I'm thankful for my parents. My Mom came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I were at the conference in Las Vegas and also while we went to pick up the car. They are so helpful and allow us to do so much and never complain. I could never fully express the depths of my gratitude but I hope they know how much I truly love and appreciate them.

I'm thankful that the Halloween candy is gone. I've been so bad at resisting its temptation that I'm glad it's not around anymore. But, alas, Christmas candy and a whole host of cookies are on their way.

I'm thankful that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law decorated our Christmas tree while they were at our house for Thanksgiving. It's usually a whine-fest with the kids over who gets to put which ornament on the tree which turns it into a miserable afair. This year, however, they were perfect while helping Bushia and Aunt 'Manda decorate the tree. Nary a whine or wimper, of course making a liar out of me. :0) But that's fine, the tree is done with no fights. :0)

What the heck?!

Yesterday at lunch time I ran to the store and it was at least 85 degrees outside. Then last night before I went to bed I check outside since a storm was blowing in and it was freaking snowing!! What's up with that? That is way to much of a temperature swing in one day for me. Although, on the bright side, the kids got ready for school in record time this morning once they had looked outside. lol

Back Home

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Family came to our house this year and we had a delightful time. It's always nice when it's easy like that. :0)

Dax & I just got back from 9 days in Las Vegas. That's a really long time to be there. We go to an accounting conference every year. I know what you're thinking, but really, accounting is not all that glamorous. It's a common mistake really. lol

We went to Phantom of the Opera while we were out there. It was great. We also went to see Terry Fator and a comedian while we were there. We didn't go see as many shows as we usually do which made it a little more relaxing. Although, that gave us a lot more time to hang out in the piano bar in Harrah's and drink--not always a good thing. lol

We love to sit around and people watch. There are all kinds....like this guy that we saw (more than once) walking down the strip. He wasn't wearing anything but those pink shorts, flip flops, and totally sporting his spray on tan. And it was probably around 60 degrees that day. Don't ask me!!



The National Finals Rodeo starts while we're out there and they do a lot of 'cowboy' markets so I got to do a little shopping while I was there. woohoo!! I bought a rug for the living room. It's supposed to be here Friday (or sometime shortly there after) and I can't wait. *happy dancing*

Now it's time to get the Christmas cookies going.

It's Party Time!!

Well, the birthday party has come and gone and it was a success. I feel like I've lived in the kitchen for the last week. Addison and Wyatt wanted to take cookies to school on Friday for their classess and Kirsten and Abigail took cupcakes. Then I had cupcakes to make for each of them for their party (they each get to choose their own party theme).

We had their party at the bowling alley and everyone seemed to have a great time.




Addison chose panda bears as a theme.


Abigail chose monkeys


Kirsten picked Minnie Mouse


Wyatt picked guns but I couldn't find much in the way of gun cake decorations. lol I made cupcakes like targets and used tootsie rolls for the bullets (Dax said they looked like suppositories - lol)


I think a good time was had by all. Now it's time to start planning for Thanksgiving. We'll be doing it at our house this year so it's back into the kitchen for me. :0)

To Tell or Not to Tell...

It's been awhile since I've come clean about all the things that I 'haven't' done so I guess it's time. (Certainly it's not possible that I've just been that good.)

I absolutely did not buy a couple of new tops for myself while I was out shopping for the kids' birthday presents. I mean, I was totally looking for the things on their lists so how could I even end up in the section for something I might want? It just doesn't make sense....right?

I did not put some cashews out for the little mouse that lives in our office. I mean, I don't want him here so why would I feed him? I'm not a softy like that.

I did not put off the final cleaning in my house until today knowing that my in-laws are arriving tonight. I don't like to procrastinate like that. Everything done way ahead of time with time to spare - that's my motto. (Really, who am I kidding?)

I did not eat a brownie with a mini peanut butter cup baked in the middle for breakfast. That's far too many calories for me to eat at all, much less have that sugar rush first thing in the morning.


Okay, that's all that I'm not confessing to right now. Especially now that I've got those brownies on the brain!!

Long Weekend

Dax & I closed the office and took a long weekend. My wonderful parents (they allow us to be able to do so much) came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I went and played.

We got up at about 3:00 on Thursday morning and headed to the airport to catch a flight to Virginia. Why in the world would anyone want to do that? (I know that's what you're asking) Because Dax had been playing around online and found this and we were headed to buy it.





He's like a kid at Christmas with his new toy. (And believe me, the last thing we needed was another car at our house!!) Doesn't he look happy though?




We had intended to be able to drive back at a somewhat leisurely pace and enjoy ourselves. As it turned out though we had to wait until Friday morning to complete the transaction and it was raining and yucky for two of our driving days. This slowed things down considerably and pretty much took the 'leisure' out of it. But, it was nice to have some time alone together anyway.

We did take the opportunity to spend the night in Texarkana (where we used to live). We stopped by and surprised a friend that we hadn't seen in years. (You know who you are Amy) She has gotten married since we last spoke and her new husband seems really nice. After we left their house, Dax and I both talked about how happy she looks and that it was nice to see that. She's a really sweet person and deserves to have a husband that treats her well and makes her happy. It was really nice to see her and I'm glad we decided to stop.

We made it back home yesterday afternoon and boy are our butts tired of riding in the car!! The kids are thrilled about the car because they think it looks cool. Dax took today off to get it all cleaned back up after the long drive home and then he's going to pick the kids up from school in it - per their request.

Now our really hectic schedule begins. My in-laws will be in town on Wed. night, the kids' birthday party is Saturday, my in-laws leave on Sunday, Thanksgiving is at our house on Thursday, and then Dax & I leave for a conference in Vegas on Saturday. Busy, busy, busy.

What a Weekend

There is not a spot on my body today that isn't sore, I swear. We spent the whole weekend cleaning. I shampooed carpets in the kids' rooms on Friday. Spent Saturday and Sunday cleaning out the shop. Judging from all the trash carried down to the road you'd think we just moved in. But on the bright side, the shop is now cleaned out. There are several boxes in the garage now and my plan is to get through them by Wednesday this week. It will be nice to have that monkey off our backs. It's only been there for 4 years or so. I found out that I had a lot of cute decorating items that I had totally forgotten about. lol

Hope you had a better weekend...or at least more relaxing. This working when I should be lounging thing sucks. lol

Thankful Thursday

Another week gone by with many things to be thankful for.

1. I'm completely grateful that the elections are over!!! None of the people and/or things that I voted for won (must be some sort of voter's curse) but I'm glad it's over just the same.

2. I'm thankful (and thrilled) that the peppermint mocha and gingerbread coffee creamers are back out. I miss them the rest of the year, although this time I've already bought some to freeze. :0)

3. I'm thankful that this time next week Dax & I will be on our way to Virginia to pick up a car that he's been wanting. I'm looking forward to just the two of us for a few days.

4. I'm grateful for the rain this morning. It wasn't a lot but we'll take what we can get. Plus, it's brought the temperature back down a little.

5. I'm thankful for the grades my kids had on their progress reports last Friday. (although, isn't Halloween an awful day to send home progress reports for those kids with bad grades?) Anyway, there were only 2 B's in the whole lot. Makes me proud!

6. I'm thankful that the a/c in the suburban waited until fall to decide to quit cooling. With birthdays and Christmas coming up at least it can be put off for awhile.

7. I'm thankful that my kids enjoy each others company and play well together. Naturally they argue just like other siblings but they do get along and play together really well. It's a blessing!!

How 'bout you? What do you find yourself taking note of this week to be thankful for? Do tell.

Halloween Costumes

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We went trick-or-treating on the Square in town. Most of the shops on the square stay open to give candy to the kids. It's a great 'small town' activity and it's one of our favorites. After we left the square we ran home for hot dogs and potato salad and then off for traditional house to house trick-or-treating. They only did that for about 45 minutes (maybe an hour) before they decided they were tired and just wanted to go home. I guess they figured they'd gotten enough candy. lol When they asked if they could eat some of their candy early on I told them that this was the only night of the year that they got to eat candy until they thought they were gonna be sick (if they wanted that much).

Well, here are the costumes:

Addison was a hippie. I couldn't get her to let me take a picture without her making some sort of dorky face. *shaking head*



Wyatt was an alien. His costume looked really good (I just couldn't get a good picture of it) but it was really hard to see out of the mask. There was this pattern over the eye part and it made it tough to see.



Kirsten was Princess Liea. We made her costume because I had trouble finding one. She was pleased with it so that's all that really matters, right?



And Abigail was Cleopatra. I made her costume from an old party dress I bought at Goodwill. She was happy with how hers turned out too. Seeing one of my babies with makeup on is more than I'm ready for (although hopefull she won't want to wear it quite this heavy when she does.)

Thankful Thursday

Well here we are again. It's been busy as usual.

1. I'm thankful that I've gotten all of the payroll reports done (and not even at the last minute :0) )

2. I'm thankful that my kids are pleased with their Halloween costumes.

3. I'm thankful for having the windows open because of the fantastic weather we've been having.

4. I'm thankful that Wyatt seems to be developing a love of reading.

5. I'm thankful for all the silly things my kids do that make me laugh.

6. I'm thankful that I have parents that would do anything they can to be there for me if I need them. It's comforting to know there are people in your life that will always be there for you.

7. I'm thankful that I paid $2.17 per gallon for gas yesterday!!


How 'bout you? What are some of the things that have made you feel better or at least brought a smile to you face? How long has it been since you've stopped to think about some of the little things that make you happy?

Oh No I Didn't.....

It's been awhile since I've posted what I didn't do. I figured it was time to not confess again.

1. I didn't eat cookies for breakfast. If I did that then I wouldn't ever get these last 6 pounds off.

2. I didn't let Wyatt sleep without sheets on his bed for a week. I mean, I would never try to wait out the 10 year old who claims he can't get the sheets on. Granted, it's the top bunk and it's more difficult, but really.

3. I didn't get up at 2:00 am twice in the past week because the dogs woke me up and I couldn't go back to sleep.

4. I didn't go to bed with the sink full of dishes (after not getting up at 2:00 am)

5. I didn't leave Addison's hamster running around her room all day (so they wouldn't be late for school) because he didn't get out in the middle of the night.

6. I didn't buy Halloween candy based on what I like. :0)

That's all the confessions I can think of for now. I'm certain there are many other things I could confess but I haven't paid enough attention to remember what they are. lol

Thankful Thursday

Wow!! It's already Thursday again! Where does the time go? This has been a busy week in the office for me so I haven't given it as much thought as I like to. Here goes anyway. :0)

1. I'm thankful for all of Dax's help yesterday getting my report problems corrected.

2. I'm thankful for Pizza Hut where Dax could go get dinner for the kids while I worked.

3. I'm thankful for Netflix. I love getting movies in the mail! :0)

4. I'm thankful for Halloween candy. (read: I'm thankful for all candy and Halloween is an excellent excuse to indulge my passion.)

5. I'm thankful that Addison won her 4H Food competition and that my Mom will be there to help us out with the district competition.

6. I'm thankful for happy times spent with family. So many memories made. :0)

7. I'm thankful that we're able to give our kids many opportunities to explore the things that interest them.

Another Great Weekend

Saturday morning Addison had her 4H foods competition and she won 1st place. Woohoo!! (I forgot to take a picture of her with her entry.) Now for the ugly truth....she wasn't competing against anyone. *giggle* But, she's still excited and she gets to go on to the district competition. Unfortunately, Dax & I will be in Vegas at a conference so she and Grandma are going to have to work that one out. :0)

After her competition we headed to Houston. The kids spent the night with Dax's parents and we went out with my parents and my brother and his wife. We first ate dinner at



This is one of my favorite places to eat. Then went to see Jeff Dunham's act




After the show Dax, my parents, and I went to the House of Pies for some of this



Can I just say Yumm!! I know it's making you hungry isn't it?

It made for a really long day but we had a good time. Headed home Sunday afternoon and it's back to the same old routine. :0)

What did you do this weekend? Hope you had an enjoyable time.

Friday Flash Back

These pictures are from a couple of years ago. I bought a gingerbread house kit and let the kids decorate it.


I've learned over the years that they don't seem to have a sense of when to be finished. They just keep going until all the decorations are gone. lol




They ate so much of the frosting and candy as they were doing this that it's a wonder they weren't all sick!




Look at the mess of sprinkles that are all over the table. The floor was covered too. Hmmmm......wonder why we didn't do that again last year and why I haven't bought the stuff to do it this year? Look closely at that and you can just imagine what their little painting project looked like the other day. Gaah!! (I was a little more that upset when I found what all the paint had made it's way to.....but that's another story. ;0) )

Why is it....

So why is it that when I try to do what I think is the 'right' thing I seem to dig myself a hole? Does anyone else do that?

Here are some of the things I do that are my idea but just lead to more work for me:

I fix (fix in the Southern sense - nothings broken) everyone's plate and then serve them. I started this when they were little and I didn't want to set the table, etc. Well now, everyone waits for me to serve them and I haven't had a hot meal that wasn't in a restaurant in ages.

I fix (there's that word again) the kids' lunches with homemade bread. We go through so much and I can make bread for two months for the same cost of buying three loaves at the store. But, now I have to make sure there's enough bread for lunches and if not I have to make it. What am I thinking?

I also started making cookies for them for their lunch instead of buying the Little Debbie snacks because a box only lasts one day. I make the dough ahead of time and keep it in a tub in the fridge and only make 1 dozen cookies at a time. (I do this so that Dax & I won't be tempted to eat cookies all day.) But still, I have to get up every morning and bake a dozen cookies.

This year I also started actually MAKING their breakfast in the morning. (Like this morning they had sausage and eggs.) Last year they had a bowl of cereal most mornings and I felt guilty about that. This year they've only had cereal three times since school started in August. But that's just one more thing that I have to get done in the mornings. I'm exhausted by the time I drop them at school and head into the office.

So, you can see some of the holes that I've dug for myself and I don't know how to get out of them. The kids love that I actually make their bread and that I make cookies for their lunch in the morning. They tell me about other kids that are jealous of their cookies because their moms just buy cookies for them. I can't stop doing it now because they've decided that I love them more because I do this for them. GAAHH!!

Any ideas?

Thankful Thursday

Wow! Another week gone by already. Where does the time go? As always, this week brings many things to be thankful for and it's good to stop and take note.

1. I'm grateful that October 15th has passed and that Dax will once again be able to be home with us on a regular basis. The kids have only been able to see him for fleeting moments for the last two weeks.

2. I'm thankful that we've finally gotten some much needed rain.

3. I'm thankful for Halloween candy (but that should probably be reserved for the list of what I 'didn't' do.)

4. I'm grateful for having my own craft room where I can spread things out and not have to put it all away again before we can eat dinner.

5. I'm eternally grateful for the pillows, sheets, and comforter that we had custom made for our bed. It's so snuggly and comfortable I hate to get out. :0)

6. I'm thankful that Addison & Kirsten finally cleaned their closet this week.

7. I'm thankful that gas prices have dropped to under $3/gallon.

Impressions

The kids have been watching some of the old sit-com reruns and Addison has been working on her impression of Steve Erkle (not sure how he spells it). I took a picture the other night when she was doing it, but it's hard to get the whole feel from just the picture. These kids are so goofy!!

There's always much to be thankful for but I do try to think of the things we tend to take for granted. Let's see where things have me this week. I am grateful for:

1. Afternoon naps. (Don't get to take those nearly enough.)

2. Cool fall mornings. It's still getting really hot during the day but the mornings are much cooler.

3. Opportunities to teach my children life lessons before they have to learn them the hard way.

4. The new tv in my bedroom (giggle).

5. A few quiet moments in the evening when I can read.

6. Home baked bread.

7. The internet.

Thanks again to Tanja , I have more work to do. This idea of hers is to list the things I 'didn't' do this week (rather than admit to it).

1. I didn't get the Halloween decorations out of the attic and leave them sitting in the middle of the garage all week. I mean, nobody does that!

2. I didn't take a nap after picking the kids up from school twice this week. I have far too much to do to indulge in napping.

3. I didn't take a nice long bubble bath knowing that the sink was full of dishes and that the floors needed to be swept. I would always rather do the dishes first.

4. I didn't wear jeans and tennies to the office twice this week. That would be totally unprofessional (even though we're totally casual).

5. I didn't forget the load of laundry in the washer and have to wash it twice.

And so it starts...

How can this sweet little face look me in the eye and lie?

Let's see, about a week and a half ago I sent a note to his teacher in his folder. I was wanting to get some ideas to help him with some of his math that he's having trouble with. We never heard back from the teacher. We went to open house and the teacher never said a thing about the note. I asked Wyatt if he gave the teacher the note and he assured me that he had. By this time I was getting really upset with the teacher and was considering talking with the principal about it.

On Monday evening I was doing Wyatt's laundry and as I was taking the clothes out of the dryer what do I find? (I'm sure you can guess) There's a folded up note that has fallen out of one of his pockets. I was upset to say the least but I didn't want to let Wyatt know that I had found the note. I was hoping to get him to fess up and tell me the truth. NO SUCH LUCK!! Even after several days of asking him and giving him ample opportunity to come clean he never did.

I did finally tell him that I knew he wasn't being honest with me because I had the note. I never told him how I got it (he's just learn to be more careful and I don't want that. lol) I finished his little lecture by telling him that when I ask him a question he should always be honest because I may already know the answer. And that he never knows what I already know. lol

I'm just not ready for this. I like the honesty even when it's not what they really mean to do.