Wednesday

I went to Claire's Kindergarten graduation this morning.  Then tonight I went out to dinner with some of the girls in my Lifegroup at church.  I'm pretty sure we were the loudest table in the restaurant with about twelve different conversations going at the same time.

Debbie, Tina, & Wendy

Jane, Leslie, & Me

We certainly had fun!

Tales From The Nursing Home

Today was my first day back to school after Spring Break.  And it wasn't pretty.  At all. 

I got to bed last night a little late because I have some wild friends who shall only be referred to as MLBSG or S, L, & R.  Being the Mamaw that I am, 11:00 was certainly past my school night bedtime.  We had so much fun though, and it was totally worth it.

Unfortunately, I didn't sleep great and definitely have some sinus issues starting.  So I felt kinda puny-ish.  Also, I made a remarkable discovery today.  Apparently, ten days out of school is the exact amount of time it takes for first graders to forget every rule and procedure they ever knew. 

I had really great intentions of walking tonight, but I just went and talked myself right out of it.  I blamed it on my tiring, puny-ish day.  Then I decided that I definitely should stay in and rest up for my big night of television.  It's hard on a Mamaw to watch Dancing With The Stars and The Voice all in one night. 

Well, I reckon I better skedaddle since I'm no spring chicken, and I'm plum tuckered out.  I guess I'll just piddle the night away watchin' my stories. 

Goodnight. Sleep tight. Mamaw loves you.

Hold On To Your Socks

Because I'm about to rock your socks off with some exciting pictures.

Yesterday, we had another fun Spring Break day of doing not much at all other than running around here and there all day.  Brian and I had to meet with our accountant in the morning, then the kids and I shopped a little.  They were extra thrilled to try on clothes and shoes at several stores as you can imagine.  I may have encouraged them to stay the course by the promise of an Icee at Target.  I'm not above a good old-fashioned bribe.  Plus, it is spring break after all. 

Things took a dramatic turn for the worse when the Icee machine had a sign that said "Closed for Repair".  Words of Doom.

With the promise of a Sonic half-price slushy sometime between the afternoon hours of 2:00 and 4:00, we headed off to eat a nutritious lunch at Arby's. 

I present to you the first exciting picture of the day:

See I told you it was going to make your life complete.

After lunch, we had some time to kill before Happy Hour began.  For the sake of saving $1.19, I refused to go before 2:00 and pay full price.  Being frugal is probably one of my best strengths.  I bet Brian would totally agree with that last statement.  Ahem.

So we stopped by Mom's house to visit a bit.  Then Megan came by.  Then Mike.  There was a lot of talking.  Two and a half hours later, I screeched into Sonic on a wing and a prayer just in time to make the 4:00 Happy Hour cut-off.  And drinks were served.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture.

Then last night, I got to spend some time with Lisa eating, driving, and shopping.  We pretty much solved all the problems of the world (as usual).

But here is the only picture I took:

I really have no explanation for why I took this picture.  Yes, it's a picture of my foot.  Maybe I wanted to document that I actually can still half way stand up in heels even though I never wear them anymore.  Or maybe I just wanted to see what it looked like on my giant foot.  Or maybe I just wanted to look like the crazy lady who takes pictures of her own foot in the middle of T J Maxx.

I did discover that I truly can't walk in heels anymore.  I eventually put the other shoe on too and tried to walk around.  If they had people watching the store through security cameras at that moment, somebody got a real laugh.  "Hey, look at crazy lady taking pictures of her foot and walking around like a newborn calf."

In other news, I found myself defending my OVER THE COUNTER Sleep Aid that is currently my drug of choice on more than one occasion yesterday.  So apparently I felt the need to take a picture of my brand new box when I got home last night.  Somehow, I rationalize that it is safer than Nyquil (my one true love) because there is no pain medication or allergy medication or ingredients that contain alcohol.  And I only take one.  That's half a dose.  It's totally non habit forming.  See it says it right there on the box (in this last exciting picture from the day):

You can go ahead and put your socks back on for now, but just so you know...today promises some excitement too, so I'll be back soon with more pictures.  The fun never stops around here.

Weekend Fun!

I had a supah-fun weekend! Friday night I got to go out with Lisa.  Even though we text every day we hadn't been out driving around after dark for hours since before Christmas.  That is way too long.  We made up for it on Friday night with some Italian Village pizza.  I KNOW.  Then shopping in Kingsport and a trip all the way back to Johnson City for a few more stops.  FYI, Hobby Lobby closes at 8:00 on Friday nights.  We found that out the hard way.

Saturday was fairly uneventful.  We were mostly at home except a few quick errands.  We made pizza for dinner, and yes I ate pizza two nights in a row.  It was mighty delicious if I do say so myself.  I only ate one piece that night though to make up for Italian Village.  I made the crust from scratch-ito. Pioneer Woman's recipe was the one I had on hand, so I used it.  This is the second or third time I've made her recipe, and we like it.  BUT...it is a bit too bread-yish for us.  I'm thinking of using a different one next time that I found on Pinterest.  We really prefer a thinner, crispier crust.  If you have a good one, please send it my way! I'll keep you posted on those developments as they occur. 

We also played some games with the kids so they were thrilled.

Sunday after church, I went to see The Vow with some other very lovely ladies including my mom, sister-in-law, niece, niece's friend Emily and Emily's cousin.  I'm all about the details around here.  I had NO idea what in the blue blazes the movie was even about when Megan texted me Saturday to ask if I wanted to go.  It turned out to be really good! I won't spoil it for you if you plan to see it, so I'll go against my nature and keep the details to myself.  However, I did leave with a few new opinions about some things that I'd like to share. 

Ok, since you asked, here they are...

1. I have never really enjoyed Rachel McAdams as an actress even though I loved The Notebook with all of my heart.  Until now.  She is just darlin' in this movie.  Just absolutely darlin' with her cute dimples.  Also, she is sportin' dark hair in The Vow, and it is a WAY better color for her than her usual blonde.  Rachel, if you're reading this, the dark hair is way better than your usual blonde.

2. I've seen Channing Tatum all over the place, and apparently he is ALL THE RAGE lately.  I seriously couldn't figure out what the big deal was.  Until now.  Let's just say I should have actually watched him act and generally look handsome for two straight hours before I judged.  He is a cutie.  I'm a fan.  Now he's still no Matthew McConaughey-hey-hey, and he is most certainly no Brian Murray.  Just to be clear.

So all in all, I can't complain! It was a lovely weekend.  I hope yours was just as nice!

Well, I have bad news and good news...

The bad news is:

Lisa found out about the picture...like 3 1/2 minutes after I posted it.  Something to do with, "You know I read your blog, blah, blah, blah".

BUT!

The good news is I found the PERFECT shirt to wear to my next country concert: 

Mr. Aldean

Or Jason, as I like to call him.

Lisa and I took a fun little trip to Charlotte to see his concert. 

Prepare to view a horrible picture of me.  Trust me, believe it or not, it is the least of all the bad pictures of me from the night.  I had just been hit in the head with an enormous beach ball, hence that little poof of crazy hair.  I was sweating and the flash was so ridiculously bright we were almost blinded. 

Do NOT tell Lisa I put it on here either.

I REPEAT: DO NOT TELL LISA ABOUT THIS PICTURE.

 But we weren't there to look pretty, which is WAY more than I can say for the thousands of college girls running around in dresses that were obviously manufactured and intended to be sold as a shirt ~ not a dress.  Here's why we were there....

Yeehaw!

The Help

I read the book The Help last year and loved it, so I am really thrilled that the movie is finally out.  My Little Bible Study Group went to see it Saturday night.  I really enjoyed it! The actors did an amazing job, and I think it did the book justice.

It's been mentioned that My Little Bible Study Group needs an official name.  Here's what's in the running:

1. MLBSG
2. In The Loop Group (stolen from Lysa Terkeurst)
3. Kool & The Gang (with any of the other three serving as Kool)

(Ok, throw out some other ideas...) 

I'm Going Home, To The Place Where I Belong

I've had a LOOOONNNNNGGGG summer.  After two years teaching full-time in Kingsport, I resigned in May.  I was very thankful for the opportunity to teach there, but I knew it was time to move on.  The reasons are abundant, and it would take me approximately two years to explain them all to you. 

So...I waited and prayed.  There are some people in my life who deserve a medal of honor for keeping me sane and talking me off the ledge for months. (You know who you are and thank you!)  See, I knew I was leaving Kingsport, but I didn't exactly know where I was going.  I can honestly say I was willing to go wherever God wanted me to go, but the waiting and wondering can be painful.  I don't particularly like pain, and patience must not be my favorite fruit of the spirit.  

After MANY days of waiting, I was hired last Wednesday in Washington County.  I am THRILLED because that was my ultimate goal.  To be back on my children's schedule is such an answer to prayer.  For now, I will be teaching in a different school than they attend.  I am loving my new school (Fall Branch)! Everybody has been so welcoming, and I'm even working for one of my previous principals. 

So needless to say, I've been a little crazy trying to get myself prepared for those little first graders coming Tuesday morning.  YES, I SAID FIRST GRADERS! I've never taught below second grade, so the adventure has truly just begun. 

I've been continually praising Jesus for sending me back to Washington County.  It feels so good to be home.

Myrtle the Giraffe

So maybe you heard that I went to the beach recently...

One of my favorite stops while we're there is always Home Goods.  Now I'm not talking about a TJ Maxx with some Home Goods stuff in the back or a TJ Maxx (slash) Home Goods where it's like half and half (I'm looking at you Asheville). This is a for real, knock your socks off, "Take My Breath Away" playing in the background Home Goods. I consider it pure joy, my friends.  

That is where I found Myrtle.

Isn't she beautiful?

She's an (at least) nine feet tall wooden giraffe.  I considered standing on that table to get a true measurement, but then I noticed that it was supported by one, smallish pedestal.  I reconsidered, and estimated based on that lovely lady bent over beside her. 

I immediately sent a picture to Lisa (I'm linking to her, yet she never updates her blog so there's no real reason to click over there).  I just knew she would see the beauty and potential usefulness of the giraffe as I did.  Of course, Lisa agreed, and at $799.99, she was a bargain.   The proposal was made to split the cost and share her.  We came up with several name suggestions including Jason (as in Aldean), Kenny (as in Chesney), and Luke (as in Bryan).  In the end, there was only one name that was appropriate, Myrtle (as in Beach).  For the record, I still reserve the right to name my next dog Myrtle which has been the plan for many years. 

So I loaded her up and tied her to the top of the van.  Oh, we were a sight to see on the long drive home.  She was flapping around, legs everywhere. Lisa suggested a trailer or something to bring her home and then transport between our houses since the plan WAS to share her.  I was just trying to be frugal, so I didn't purchase the trailer.  Now, I'm sitting at home with this (at least) nine feet tall giraffe named Myrtle and no way to get her over to Lisa's house.  Unless I tie her to the top of the van again which is a viable option. 

***I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am the crazy one, and Lisa just politely plays along. 

***Some parts of this story are fictional ~ I'll let you decide which ones.

The Midwife's Confession

My little book club (aka my little Bible study group) recently read and discussed The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture!!! I read the book quickly and thought I had it all figured out all along the way.  The author succeeded in "throwing me off" several times even if I did find a few of the events a bit convenient.  In the end, I was left with a few unanswered questions and a burning desire to call one of the main characters to fill her in on a few things! Overall, I felt it was well written and fun to read.  Recommended!