Annual Christmas Party Numero Dos

We had our annual Christmas party at the golf course last night.  Boy, oh, boy!  It was a lot of fun and it would have been a lot more fun if I hadn't been distracted by the fact that my babies were sick.  I kept checking my cell wondering if my parents had called.  I was antsy to get back home to them.  And you know what?  I knew which forks to use at dinner even though there were fewer to choose from this time!  Plus, there was a lot more food than there was at the Hyatt.  I don't know what the Hyatt was thinking giving us only 4 green beans.  We like to eat here in the south.  Anyway, as you can guess we left early, but I wish we hadn't because my father in law had just ordered another pitcher of beer right before we left.  And he had already had a few.  He was, of course, the life of the party.  I've never laughed so hard in my life!  There were only about 30-40 people there this time which made for a more cozy good time.  And I will definitely be making more trips up there because the bartender made me her special Long Island Iced Tea that was soooo good.  I had a few too many. ;o)

Here is the evidence of a wonderful night.

My mother and father in law (Jeff and Terry)

Me and my baby

Jeff and Terry getting down.

Incriminating evidence.

Getting down and dirty.  He kept trying to grind and Terry left him on the dance floor. Too funny!

And this would be Tony smacking Fran's tail.

Rainy Days

It's a rainy day here.  Usually I love rainy days.  They're my fave.  However, today has been a weepy day for me.  My two little ones woke up with alarmingly high fevers.  Why does that always happen on the weekend?  So our plans for a fun day of shopping and seeing Santa has been canceled.  I hate seeing my babies sick.  Also, our Annual Christmas Party Numero Dos at the golf course is tonight.  I'm not too happy about leaving the babies, but the tickets have already been bought.

Back in June my sweet nephew passed away.  While I was out shopping yesterday I came across something that I would have picked up to give him for Christmas and it actually took a second to sink in that he won't be with us this Christmas.  That makes me really sad.  He had a list of ailments that included Cerebral Palsy.  And although it gives me comfort that he is no longer suffering I am still a little selfish and want him around.  Even though he couldn't talk his big eyes and big smile spoke volumes.  Talking is overrated anyway. 

I try to be positive and always have happy days, but I think we all need some sad days to keep us honest.  It's good to feel and to take a moment.  Today was a good day for it.  I bought the gift, put it in a cute box and placed it under the Christmas tree that's on his grave.  I'm sure some scumbag will come by and steal it, but I believe in Karma and I believe that she can be a bigger bitch than I could ever be. ;o)

Santa will still be at the mall next week.  And today I'm laying low taking care of my sicklings.  I filled up the crock pot with some yummy goodness and we're watching Christmas shows.  It's a good day.

I Love Red Paint

When you make crafts always make sure you put up the paints.  Madison made this lovely work of art on the window with red paint.  I'm glad it was red paint because it makes it so much prettier.
And you know what?  We're leaving it like it is.  Cuz' I like it. :o)

The Annual Christmas Party Numero Uno

Last night was the Annual Christmas Party for my hubby's work.  It was held at the Harborside Room in the Hyatt.  This was the first year that we've gone.  These Christmas parties allow you to see other sides of your co-workers that you don't get to see at work.  Like when your boss gets up and gets jiggy with it on the dance floor and you get really worried because he has a bad hip.  You get to have lots to drink and get to dance to classics like "Sweet Home Alabama," "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Baby Got Back."  It's the perfect time to make a complete ass of yourself and not worry that you'll be picked on at work because Hey! Everyone else is having fun too! 

Then when you get drunk enough you can walk down Riverstreet and stumble on the cobblestones.  Tourists always say how they love the cobblestones.  I hate those things!  I'm naturally clumsy as it is and throw in a couple of beers and they're down right atrocious!  Then you ride the ferry boat back and forth across the river because it's fun and free.  And, well, that's just the sort of stuff you do when you've had a few. ;o)

And sometimes you show up at the party being the topic of conversation because that day your hubby took his buddy up on a bet and put a pie in his boss' face.  Ahhh....that one's gonna stick.  Pics were everywhere! Everybody was busting out their iPhones and Droids to show the evidence.

The only bad thing about the party was that I showed up all dressed up and pretty, but didn't know which forks to use at dinner.  I had 9 pieces of silverware surrounding my plate.  Just give me a fork and I'm good.  Throw in a spoon for soup or ice cream and a knife for a steak.  I'm not very sophisticated.  However, this dilemma prompted me to do a little research.  Next time I will be prepared for such proper conditions.  And if you're interested to know too check it out HERE.

Ridin'

I love driving!  I turn the radio up and sing my lungs out.  Life is friggin' awesome!  I like to just get out and ride.  Out here in the country you never know what you'll come across.  Yesterday I saw a dead armadillo upside down on the side of the road and someone placed a beer bottle on top of him to make it look like he was drinking it.  Only in Georgia...

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is the time to reflect on how very thankful you are for all that you have.  There is so much I am thankful for.  Every year I try to make a list of all that I am thankful for and although I won't put it all on here just know that I have a long list. 

We ate at my parents house for lunch and headed to Wesley's mom and dad's house for dinner.  We ate WAY too much, but it was perfect. 

My weekend started off dealing with the craziness of Black Friday.  Oh yes, believe I was there!  Which brings me to another thing I am thankful for.  I'm thankful for the nutjob that pushed me down to get to the Disney Deluxe 6-piece Playset at Wally World.  Yep, I'm thankful.  Because she made me realize that without these unbalanced people in life things would be so much more boring.  I did in fact have a great conversation piece for the next couple of days which in fact made others smile.  Why get mad?  I wasn't hurt and I have the upper hand because if she had read my blog Frugal Living At Its Finest she would have known that $29 for the set wasn't the best deal so I wasn't even trying to get it.  ;o)

Then I head over to Belk and witness a display of disgust because someone cut in line to get the free gift card.  I heard bickering, fussing and name calling for 2 hours.  I am thankful for that because otherwise it would have been unbearable sitting there for 2 hours with no entertainment.  Not to mention I had to pee really bad!  And I'm thankful for the $5 gift card I got because it was free! 

After all the excitement I slept half of the day away and when I awoke from my coma we got to work on our Christmas tree.  It's a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and I love it.  I learned many years ago not to buy the big fancy trees when you have kids.  They're just gonna tear it up anyway.  So, a couple of years ago I hit the after Christmas sale at WallyWorld and got a $50 pre-lit tree for only $5.  I like the pre-lit trees because I hate hanging lights.  And I am glad that I only paid $5 for the tree because 5 minutes after we hung the last ornament Madison knocked it down and somehow screwed up the bottom limbs and they are now hanging all the way to the ground.  But that's cool - it was only $5! 

I hang my tree with crafts my babies did.  I find that my tree is more beautiful with these little works of art on it. 

We ended the night with a sinful amount of hot chocolate!

Gearing Up!

We've been super busy baking and decorating around here!  Just gearing up for Turkey Day.  The kiddos totally love making these handprint turkeys each year.  We talk about what we're thankful for and I love it when I get answers like "I'm thankful for chocolate."  'Cuz that's really important!  hehehe 

 I hope everyone has a really great Thanksgiving!

Cheezin'

Pinecones Pre-Beautification

Personalized Turkeys - Conner was taking a nap so his is still in work.

There's Always Time...

We were out enjoying the beautiful weather that feels nothing like November here.  We had a plan to walk around the block and get back to fix lunch.  I was several steps ahead of Madison and she stopped to pick up rocks to put in her pockets.  She was loading herself down with them!  I turned and said "Come on, punkin'! We've got to get back so I can make you guys some lunch."  She replies "I'm busy!"  I said "But we don't have time."  She looked at me with the strangest look ever and said matter-of-factly "Mommy, there's always time for rocks."  Now how do you argue with that?

Disney On Ice

We went to the Disney on Ice Show at the Civic Center this weekend and the kids loved it!  It brought up those old wishes I've always had of being able to ice skate.  I can make my rounds around the rink, but not like they do.  I lack any type of grace.  In other words I bust my tail quite often.  I've come to accept this.  However, seeing these people gracefully skate around makes me a tad bit jealous and I'm not the jealous type.

Daddy and Conner

Granddaddy (my father in law) with Conner and Whitney (my niece.)

Madison with T-Ma (my mother in law.)

Loving the chewy ice.

Minnie and Mickey

Gotta love Tinkerbell!

Mitch

Me and my hubby

Roads

I drove these roads every day in high school. To school and back again.  I hated these roads.  I hated that they seemed so boring.  There was nothing but fields of cotton, tobacco or soy beans.  Now that I am older and appreciate this life so much more I love these roads.  I love driving them.  Just yesterday I saw a hawk swoop down beside the road and snatch up a mouse.  Yeah, poor mouse.  But that's life and it's beautiful.

Georgia Snow

 All of these pics were taken within miles of my house.