Friday Felicities ~ September 5, 2008

Things that make me happy:

~ Movie night tonight with Jordan at her school - a little girl time.

~ A doctor that will fit me in to see what is wrong with my ear.

~ A husband that told me that he would learn sign language when I (jokingly) asked him what we would do if I'm going deaf.

~ A nice rainy day - we needed one bad.

~ My blue-tooth - I thought I had lost it yesterday - and, boy - did I miss it.

Link up your Felicities over at Becky's.

Shaded Gray DayBook ~ September 3, 2008

Outside my Window … A cloudy day - hopefully we will get some rain.

I am thinking … That I need to get to work on my inventories. No sense putting them off...they'll still be there.

I am thankful for … My job. I have been here 10 years (as of next Tuesday) - and I still like it here. I like what I do, I like my boss(es), I like (most) of the people. :) Not a lot of people can say that after 10 years.

From the kitchen … Hamburgers and fries are on the menu for tonight.

I am creating … Nothing. I.Do.Not.Create.

I am going … Home after a while. Not planning on any sudden trips today.

I am wearing … Floral skirt, pink tank top and a denim vest.

I am reading … House of Wolves by Matt Bronleewe. Very interesting so far.

I am hoping... To have a quiet evening. It tends to get a little squealy around our house in the evenings.

I am hearing … Law & Order: SVU - I am watching/listening to it.

Around the house … Trying to keep the house picked up. Working on having the kids pick up their own toys and not picking up for them.

One of my favorite things … Evenings at home. I've been doing homework with Myles - he's learning to read some - and it's so fun to see him reading his flash cards.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week … Terrance's company picnic is Saturday at Nashville Shores. I don't really like water parks - so this should be fun.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… Scott (from my office) managed to catch this for me yesterday. It's a rhinoceros beetle and it's about 2 1/2 inches long - yuck!! My brother-in-law has a corkboard that he has been putting different bugs on for the kids to look at. I thought this would be an exciting addition:

Mindless Fact Monday ~ September 1, 2008

In honor of Labor Day - this "Mindless Fact Monday" will be about Labor Day facts.

~ The first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882.

~ Labor Day was made an official holiday by President Grover Cleveland in 1894.

~ As of May 2008, the labor force in the United States, consisting of working people 16 and older, was 154.5 million.

~ 8% of workers work over 60 hours per week.

~ Only about 9% of workers have been with their employer for 20 years or more.

~ Approximately 5.4 million people work from home.

~ 16.7 million workers, or about 13%, leave for work between midnight and 5:59 am.

~ The national average for commute time is 25 minutes.

~ 3.1 million workers face "extreme commutes" - 90 minutes or longer to travel to work.

Friday Felicities ~ August 29, 2008

Things that make me happy:

~ A beautiful day outside (although I wish I was enjoying it instead of working.)

~ A car that is working, finally.

~ An evening out tomorrow night with friends.

~ Our meteorologist, Leland Statom - who mentioned Jordan and Myles on TV this morning, after I e-mailed him and told him what big fans they are. They were so excited.
~ Coke Zero - after resisting trying it - I actually like it.

~ Looking forward to a long weekend.

Link up over at Becky's.

Shaded Gray DayBook ~ August 28, 2008

Outside my Window … A clear morning. It's still pretty dark out so I don't know much more than that.

I am thinking … That I need to get up and get dressed. Only 2 more days until a 3 day weekend!

I am thankful for … A nice warm bed to get into when I'm really tired - and for Myles who still wants to sleep with Mommy.

From the kitchen … I think we are having some sort of chicken tonight. I took some chicken out of the freezer yesterday morning and started marinating it - we'll see how it turns out.

I am creating … hopefully, I will be creating a laundry free house this evening. Not much more to do. (I can tell I am going to have to get creative on this answer since I don't "create" things.)

I am going … To work in about an hour.

I am wearing … blue jammie pants and a black tank top. I hate to get dressed because this is so comfy.

I am reading … "Where Are You Now" by Mary Higgins Clark. I love her books but she tends to put a LOT of characters in them and it can get kind of confusing if you have to put it down a lot like I do.

I am hoping... to get the fish tank re-filled this evening. The water tends to evaporate after a while and I like it full.

I am hearing … the aquarium filter making waterfall noises...Other than that - pretty quiet. I can hear Jordan bumping around a bit.

Around the house … It's not too messed up. I tried to leave it pretty clean before we went on our mini-vacation.

One of my favorite things … watching "Lost" with Jordan in the evenings. She has become quite a fan and it is something that we enjoy doing together. ((I keep telling her to "just watch" when she starts asking a lot of questions.))

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week … Terrance and I are having dinner Saturday night with 3 other couples that also have anniversaries in August. Kind of a group celebration dinner.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… This is from our Gatilinburg weekend. Terrance took us on the Cades Cove drive and this is what we saw:

Mindless Facts Monday ~ August 25, 2008

Every Monday will be "Mindless Facts Monday" with me bringing 10 completely useless facts. Here is my debut list:

~ In 1982, a man in Phoenix, AZ was killed by a cactus. He fired 2 shotgun blasts at the cactus, that ended up falling on him.

~ In New York City, approximately 1600 people are bitten by other humans annually.

~ The most overdue book in the world was borrowed from Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge, Enland and was returned 288 years later.

~ A crocodile can run up to speeds of 11 miles per hour.

~ Every single hamster in the United States today can be traced back to a single litter captured in Syria in 1930.

~ The silk that is produced by spiders is stronger than steel, pound for pound.

~ The colors red, yellow, and orange are used in fast-food restaurants because those are the colors that stimulate hunger.

~ Coupons were introduced in 1894, when Asa Candler bought the Coca-Cola formula for $2300 and gave people coupons that he had written out for a free glass of Coke.

~ Of all new restaurants, 90% fail in their first year. Of that remaining 10%, 90% will fail in the second year.

~ The "naked recreation and travel" industry has grown by 233% in the last decade.

Come back next Monday for more fun useless facts!!

Friday Felicities ~ August 22, 2008

Things that make me happy:


~ Going off to Gatlinburg for the weekend - just me and my hubby - for an anniversary get-a-way.


~ Kids that are excited to go to school every morning.
~ A hubby that comes quickly when my car breaks down....again.


~ A mother-in-law that came and got the kids so they don't have to wait in the hot car.


~ Clean sheets on the bed.


~ A fab sister that is willing to pick up the kids so we can leave early.

~ Sonic iced tea that my mom brought me yesterday - she must have known that I would be broken down in a hot car on an August afternoon...



Link up your Felicities over at Becky's.

Shaded Gray Daybook ~ August 21

Outside my Window … A cloudy sky - hopefully this means we will get some rain. Our yard is turning brown...yuck.

I am thinking … That I should really tackle this pile of paper on my desk.

I am thankful for … My dear husband - again- for arranging our weekend get-a-way that I am soooo looking forward to.

From the kitchen … I really have no idea what I am doing for dinner tonight. Terrance said he is taking Jordan to a baseball game tonight - so it will just be me and Myles...hmm...I will have to think about that.

I am creating … a check - If you can call that creating...I am also creating quite a mess here on my desk. :)

I am going … to lunch with the office today. We are going to Bishop's - a meat and three place for an anniversary lunch.

I am wearing … a blue shirt and blue/purple paisley skirt and blue heels. One of my new birthday outfits.

I am reading … The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell. I am enjoying it.

I am hoping... To get my desk cleaned off before I leave for the weekend tomorrow.

I am hearing … not much - it's pretty quiet. I can hear Seth talking on the phone.

Around the house … I need to wash the sheets and some other assorted laundry tonight. I have to get all 4 of us packed and ready to go in the morning.

One of my favorite things … my new checkbook register. I always run out of checkbook registers and, because I never go to the bank, have to ask people to bring me one. I bought a register book at Wal-mart...it should last a looooong time.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week … Terrance and I are going to Gatlinburg tomorrow (((without the children))) for an anniversary weekend. I can't wait!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… Mama Jean's neighbor, Mr. Ward, caught a groundhog the other day and took it over to show Myles - who thought it was the coolest thing. Now this isn't the actual groundhog - but one kind of like it.

Our 14 Year Anniversary

Today is the 14 year anniversary of our wedding...our flower girl just went off to college...am I getting that old???

In the memory of our wedding day, I thought I would remind myself why I married this man and why I love him even more today:

~ I love him...duh!!

~ He loves God and strives to be an example around his friends and family, most of whom do not know the Lord.

~ He is a great provider - even when there has been not a lot of money coming in...I know he was working as hard as he could.

~ He loves his children whole-heartedly.


~ He has recognized his faults and honestly worked on overcoming them.

~ He is everything I am not.

~ As cheesy as it sounds - he makes me whole.

~ He takes pride in his work - whether that be yard work or work-work. He does it the best that he can.

~ He has taken me on some fabulous vacations that were given to us by his achievements at work. Million dollar sales earner 3 years in a row!!!! I am so proud.

Hawaii - February 2007

Bahamas - March 2008

~ I love him...I know I already said that - but it's worth repeating.

Love ya babe!!!

Our day at the Park

I was home yesterday because my car was in the shop. Jordan was at school and Terrance was at work - so it was just me and Myles. We HAD to go to the park - it is right across the street from our house - so we could walk. He had so much fun...it doesn't get much better than that.

Friday Felicities ~ August 15, 2008

Things that make me happy:

~ Roadside assistance from AT&T (lol).
They sent me a tow when my car broke down yesterday...and got there the same time Terrance did so Myles could watch (which he thought was the coolest thing EVER).



~ A day home with just Myles - those are rare.



~ A wonderful God that works things out...like making sure we had a ride home from dance for Jordan after school and the fact that my boss is totally ok with my car being in the shop.



~ A beautiful day that is not nearly as hot as it should be for the middle of August.



~ The idea of a weekend away soon with just me and my hubby.



~ The Olympics on tv (still) - I am loving it!!!


Link up over at Becky’s and tell us what makes YOU happy today!!

Shaded Gray Daybook - August 12

Outside my Window … Another office building and some trees - not a very interesting view.

I am thinking … that God was very gracious yesterday when Jordan got hurt at school. It could have easily been much worse.

I am thankful for … My dear husband - rushing to help me take Jordan to the doctor's office.

From the kitchen … I think spagetti is on the menu for tonight. We haven't had it in a while and it's something that we will all eat!!

I am creating … nothing at the moment - but I did make a flower arrangement for our daughter's grave on Saturday - and if you know how non-artsy I am - that is saying a lot.

I am going … to lunch with my mom, sister and nieces today. I believe we are going to Wendy's.

I am wearing … a light brown/dark brown dress and some cute sandals that match perfectly - but will probably be hurting by the end of the day.

I am reading … I heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson. Steph loaned it to me and I am loving it.

I am hoping … to get my checkbook balanced today. I am over-flowing with receipts at the moment. Makes me nervous...

I am hearing … Not much at the moment - it is almost lunch time here at the office and it is pretty quiet.

Around the house … I need to refill the fish tank this evening - a tedious chore - but one that I need to do.

One of my favorite things …I - like Steph - am loving the fact that the Olympics are on!! I watch as much as I can and have been taping the rest. I didn't get to bed last night until almost midnight because I was watching the men's gymnastics.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week … hopefully I will get to Wal-mart tonight and pick up a few things. We are completely out of bread and Terrance doesn't have any soap - which forces him to use mine and smell girly all day.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… Terrance, Travis (my brother-in-law) and my dad recently went on a fishing trip to Lake Texoma....a trip away that Terrance desperately was in need of. He had a great time.

First Day Of School

Well, today was the first day of 5th grade for Jordan - and what an exciting day it was. I dropped her off - just like normal - and went to work. I thought that she was going to have this "great" day - nice, new teacher - friends in her class - the whole nine yard.

At about 9:30 - the school called. They said that she had had an accident at recess. Apparently, she had somehow cut her eyebrow and was bleeding pretty bad. The nurse thought she might need stitches.

"ACK!!", I thought. I told them I was on my way and raced to the school.

I called the doctor's office as I left work to find out if I needed to take her there or to the emergency room - they said to bring her to the office. Terrance got to the school at about the same time I did and we picked her up. She was holding up pretty good. She said she hadn't even cried.


We got to the doctor's office and had to wait a little while. Jordan was joking about having to get some stitches and wondering what it would be like. We thought it was funny that she had just asked me this morning about the stitches I had to get in my eye when I was a little younger than her. She had asked me if I still had a scar. We finally got back to a room and the doctor came in and decided that she did need some stiches. Well, at that point Jordan decided that she didn't want stiches after all. I think she was getting a little nervous.


The doctor came in - and a med student - and 2 nurses - and the receptionist (plus the fact that Terrance, Jordan and I were already in there) - and it was a full room. (((The receptionist was in there because Jordan really likes her and they wanted to distract her from what was going on.))) They cleaned her eye - which probably hurt, and then got ready to stitch it up.


They decided not to numb the area because they would have had to give her 4 shots to numb it (2 on both sides of her eyebrow) and the numbing medicine stings quite a bit. The doctor said that for just 2 stitches - it would hurt more to numb it than just stitch it.....I think Jordan might disagree.


Well, the doctor started the first stitch and Jordan really started wailing then. I felt sooo bad for her. I started to tear up myself. I mean - who wants to see their child in pain! They got the first stitch in and all knotted and were trying to do the other one and she started hyperventilating a little. It didn't help that she had the paper over her face that the doctor was using.

Well, they finally finished and got her bandaged up. We had to wait a bit before we could leave because Jordan was still hyperventilating and they were worried that she would pass out....poor thing. Got her home and she laid out on the couch and took a little nap. Her teacher, aunt, both grandparents and her cousins all called to check on her and her papa came by to see how she was doing.


I think she's going to live.



I also thought I'd add a pic of our Abby - no reason - she's just really cute since she got her hair cut.

Gone 13 Years

Well, it's that time of year again...Dasya's birthday is tomorrow and I am sad. She would have been 13 years old. I can't believe she would have been a teenager.

I know she is in a better place...I know this...I know this...I know this - but it is still hard for me to even think about her being gone without being sad. As much as I know that she is being taken care of by her Creator - I still want her here with me.

Every year that goes by, I think that this year will be easier - but it never is. It's been 13 years but I think of her virtually every day. Especially since Jordan looked exactly like Dasya did when she was born - I wonder if they would look the same now - I wonder what she would be like - who she would take after...me or Terrance. I feel like there's just so much I lost out on.

I miss her so bad...

Tomorrow we are going to the cemetary to put some flowers on her grave. I was going to just buy her some tomorrow before we went - but decided not to since they would just dry up and die within a few hours because of the heat. I decided to take Myles and go to Michael's and make her an arrangement that we could just plant - that would last. Here it is (please note that I am NOT artistic at all - but I thought it turned out pretty good):

I was explaining to Myles (who is only 3 1/2) where we were going - and why we were making the flower arrangement - for his sister, and that she lives in heaven with Jesus now - I don't think he "got it" at all - but it's a start and we can just tell him more as he gets a little older. That is something that makes me really sad too - the fact that, even though she died at birth, Terrance and I got to feel her move in me and see her ultra sounds and at her birth - but Jordan and Myles will never get to know her at all...in this life at least. To them - she's just something that makes mommy sad to talk about.

I feel blessed to know her the time that I did...

Psalm 77:10

Then I said, "It is my grief, that the right hand of the Most High has changed."

Day & Night Off

My dear hubby, Terrance, has gotten me a hotel room for the night. I am loving it - it is sooooo quiet here!!! I thought I might get a little bored here by myself but I called a friend of mine and we are going to a movie. We are going to see "Stomp the Yard" (I think that's the name). It looks good in the previews.


I am enjoying myself here but the whole time I've been here, I've been wondering what the kids are doing at home - whether they miss me - if they are needing me. Hopefully, once my friend gets here, I will able to enjoy myself a little and wind down.

2006 Wrap-up

What did you do in 2006 that you've never done before? I pretty much swore off Coke (one of my favorite drinks) and switched to water - not exciting but I needed to do it.

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made a resolution last year - but my one for this year is to read through the Bible.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes - My sister had Natalie - the hugest baby ever!!

Did anyone close to you die? No

What countries did you visit? None

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? More time with my DH - we both seemed kindof distracted this year

What date from 2006 will remain etched in your memory and why? Probably February 17 because that is the day we closed on our house.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? I finally started my diet that I needed to start for a long time. I'm not done but at least I've started.

What was your biggest failure? I don't know that I "completed" anything.

Did you suffer illness or injury? No - just the usual aches and pains

What was the best thing you bought? Our house

Where did most of your money go? Our house

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our house (I see a trend here)

Compared to this time last year are you:

a. Happier or sadder? not really either - but since the house was taking longer than expected, I guess happier

b. thinner or fatter? thinner, I am glad to say

c. richer or poorer? about the same

What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish I had made more of an effort to work on my patience (something that I seem to be lacking often)

What do you wish you'd done less of? Watch TV

How will you spend Christmas? It already happened, but we spent it here in Tennessee with my family and with DH's family

Did you fall in love in 2006? Didn't "fall" in love - but am still in love.

What was your favorite TV show? American Idol, CSI, Survivor, Heroes, Lost - there are soooo many

What was the best book you read? I can never remember authors names but I know it was a book my sister loaned me.

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2006? The i-pod - the coolest thing ever!!!

What did you want and get? Our house

What did you want and not get? Still haven't found my red shoes....

What was your favorite film this year? Did I even go to the theater any??? I don't remember...we are all about net-flix around our house but I did rent "End Game" and thought it was really good. We hadn't heard of it (it stars Cuba Gooding Jr.) but really liked it.

What did you do on your birthday? I don't remember - isn't that sad. DH probably took me to dinner

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To have a little more money between paychecks would have been nice

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? I am trying lose weight so I haven't bought too much, so basically, I wear anything in my closet that still fits and isn't falling off of me.

What kept you sane? My family

Which celebrity/public figure did you admire the most? I really like President Bush - he seems like a "real" person that makes mistakes but really sticks by what he believes in and I admire that.

What political issue stirred you the most? The attempt to legalize gay marriage - I hope it never happens - it's just not right

Who did you miss? I miss my grandad and grandma - they both died in 2005
Who was the best new person you met? I don't think I met anyone new last year that I just flipped over, although I met some nice people - including all of my W@H buddies

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. Worrying doesn't solve any problems - it just gives you a big fat headache

Just For Fun

1. All I want for Christmas is: to be with my family - or a pair of fabulous red shoes!!

2. If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to: Africa on a safari

3. People often underestimate the power of: the love a mother has for her children - even before they are born

4. Christmas makes me feel: happy

5. In a perfect world there would be: no bills

6. If I could meet one blogger it would be: I have no idea on this one - I don't read that many

7. The stupidest yet funniest movie ever made was: Tommy Boy

8. My first New Years Resolution will be: to keep on my diet and lose more weight - doing good so far

9. _______ really skeeves me out: congestion - just nasty gross

10. I did this Meme because: It looked like fun.

A B C's of ME

A - Available/Single: Not available, married for 12 1/2 years.
B - Best Friend: my DH Terrance.
C - Cake or Pie: Pie - Pumpkin - yum.
D - Drink of Choice: Unsweet iced tea - no lemon.
E - Essential item you use everyday: Diaper wipes.
F - Favorite color: I've been into an olive green kick lately.
G - Gummy bears or Worms: Bears - definately NOT the sour ones.
H - Hometown: Born in Oklahoma City - but now I consider Tennessee home.
I - Indulgence: Shoes!!!
J - January or February: February - cause we are going to HAWAII.
K - Kids: 3 - Dasya (who is with the Lord), Jordan - 9 and Myles - 2
L - Life is incomplete without: Family that loves you.
M - Marriage Date: August 19, 1994
N - Number of siblings: 1 older sister - that looks much older than me.
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples - Oranges are too high maintenance for every day.
P - Phobias/Fear: Snakes - I loathe snakes.
Q - Favorite Quote: Something that I read that Oprah said a long time ago has always stuck with me: "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
R - Reason to Smile: My kids - I am so proud of them.
S - Season: Used to be summer - but now I am more of a spring/fall type of gal.
T - Tag: What is this??
U - Unknown fact about myself: Although some might know I have a tattoo - most people don't know that I actually have 6.
V - Vegetable you don't like: most of them - but beets just gross me out.
W - Worst habit: I am a compulsive worrier.
X - X-ray: Left ankle, right knee, back, right wrist - is that all of them?
Y - Your favorite food: At the moment - I love General Tso's chicken and Lo Mein noodles.
Z - Zodiac: Cancer - the crab - but I don't know much more than that.

Thanksgiving 2006

The family went to the Smoky Mountains this year for Thanksgiving. My family (Mom, Dad, DH Terrance, sister Stephanie, her husband Travis and all the kids) try to get away to somewhere every other Thanksgiving. On the off year, we spend Thanskgiving with the in-laws. That is fun too, but I really look forward to our Thanksgivings away.


This year we rented a cabin outside Gatilinburg. It was fabulous!! It had 4 bedrooms (each with a king size bed and separate bathroom), 2 living areas (one on the main floor and one downstairs), a pool table, a air hockey table and a hot tub on the deck. This is a view from our balcony...
We had a great time. We went to the Gatlinburg aquarium on Friday morning. While everyone else was out shopping - we were looking at fish. The kids LOVED it!! Myles ran from exhibit to exhibit saying "FISH FISH FISH" until he came to the exhibit with the Dory (Finding Nemo)-looking fish in it - then he switched to "DORY DORY DORY". He also liked the Jellyfish - which he called "Boings" (also from Finding Nemo - Dory bounces and says "Boing boing") Here are some aquarium pics...


We (myself, Terrance, Travis and Jordan) went for a 2-hour trail on Saturday. We had great weather for it. It wasn't too hot or too cold. Perfect. Dad set the whole thing up for Jordan. She had been dying to ride a horse (other than the ponies at the fair) for forever. She had no idea and was so surprised!! Terrance's "horse" was actually a mule (or as Jordan called the horse-donkey hybrid - a "honkey"). That was just too funny!!

Little Natalie decided she was big enough to sit on the horse too...


All in all - it was a great weekend - we couldn't have had better weather and the Myles and Noelle had a great time together - playing and playing! They only fought over this strange purple octopus type thing that Steph and Travis bought at the aquarium - but I hid it and fixed that problem.
Can't wait until the next trip.....