Thanksgiving Leisure

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone! For the most part we had a great one. There were a few odd bumps in the the day, but we got through them.

The boys watched the Thanksgiving Parade on TV at grandma's house, while she was in her house baking and cooking, and Dan was in our house baking and cooking. I was in charge of a clean house, a pretty table, 2 homemade pie crusts, and the stuffing. Ye-haw! In this respect, my husband and I compliment one another superbly. He LOVES to cook up traditions and nostalgia. I however enjoy the challange of a completely new undiscovered recipe when it comes to entertaining. So he takes joy in cooking the Thanksgiving feast to the very last dollop of squash, just the way mom used to make! Go Hon!

My uncle Chuck (my mom's brother) came down from Longview, TX and spent the weekend with my parents......which means he kind of stayed with us too-(since we live next to one another :)) Because of the special guest, my aunt Jill (my mom's sister) came over every day to hang out while Chuck was here. We had a great time eating, playing ENDLESS games of Rook, and of course catching up. The weather was perfect for playing cards on the porch, but not so perfect if you need a cozy harvest feast eaten by the fire. I'm not sure it got up to 80* or not. All I know is that I was in short sleeves....!

The next day, we went out to my cousin Karen's house and had fun riding her 4 wheeler and motorcycle. My wild side just came out from deep repression somewhere. I could feel my thumb twitching to push the accelerator more...more....more!

Ok, so I only drove the 4 wheeler, but I did sit on her motor cycle. I'm trying to deny that I don't have the fever..... The evening ended with conversation by the light of a bon fire.

Tomorrow, it's back to school, back to laundry, back to normal. Thank the Lord for Holidays!

Almost there!

I've made it over hump day! and I'm still in good spirits. Thanks to all my friends, who have acknowledged my existence while a am locked away in my high walled infirmary! (Cheryl and Kevin). The patient got on the school bus this morning, still coughing but no fever and almost his old appetite back. Thanks too to grandma and grandpa - Dad took the older boys to Mickey Ds last night. Mom has been graciously pushing play on the vcr anytime the patient comes over and wearily says ...."how-bout.....Cinderella?" I have actually gotten most of school done this week despite our special guest (baby brother). So now that Clay is back in school, and we are winding down and gearing up for the weekend.......it's time to go back to a routine.....for two days.

I just cannot believe that Christmas is only one month away! I AM NOT READY FOR IT AT ALL! I feel like I just got the last of my decorations put away from last year. Plus it just got cold yesterday. I have no motivation to decorate as of this minute.......but then we haven't gotten through Thanksgiving yet. I did get out some fall garland and flowers, but that didn't involve ladders and wire and outlets, and it was probably less than three decisions to make.

Someone needs to call the waaaaambulance!

I have new sunshine these days. It never used to be in my living room. The vacant lot behind and to the east of us has been cleared of all the (nice and tall) pine trees. It looks completely different. Before our house was set in front of a green walled back drop. Now, from a few angles, it looks as though the backdrop was changed to a Kansas prairie. Ok that may be an exaggeration, but it feels bare naked! Consequently, with the angle of the sun being lower in the sky now, I have new bright blasts of sunshine streaming into my living room that was hidden by those tees before. So I guess it's not all bad. But only because I don't have to be using my A/C right now. I am always shocked by my strong feelings of anger, and at how badly I want to call the people up and say ..."WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??? THAT IS MY VIEW, MY SHADE YOU ARE HACKING DOWN! AT LEAST YOU COULD HAVE LEFT THE BOARDER TREES FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD!!!" But i have to calm myself with the fact that we did the same thing to our neighbors when we built our house, (although we did leave MANY boarder trees) and it is not my property, and I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I don't want to be a "SAVE THE TREES" kind of girl, but it's very strong in me and I don't know where it comes from.

I believe that is enough whining for one day.

Please feel free to comment...........anyone...........anyone........Buehler...... (that happens to be my sister's real last name, ha, ha ....)

Thank you to those who already have. For those of you new to blogs, its very easy. Just click on the place at the bottom of the entry where it says "0 comments" and type in the big blank box where it says "Leave Your Comment", then click the "other" button and just put your name in the box (or if you want to be mean and nasty, I suppose you could click on anonymous), then type in what you see in "word verification", then click publish. I get your comment e-mailed to me right away!!!! Yeah! I would love to know who is reading. You don't have to sign up or be a member or anything.

Well, time to start the day! Ba bye now!

Intro to music 101

I often listen to classical music on the radio. Today at lunch, Coleman was quietly sitting at the table eating his lunch. I had classical radio on. I was mid bite when he said, "This is Blue Danube". I suspected that he was right, but wasn't sure my self. Quite surprised, I swallowed my bite. "Really? How do you know?" I asked. He calmly, matter-of-factly replied, "Because Elmer Fudd said it was."

What ever it takes! :)

Tis the season to get sick!

So far Dan and I are the only ones who have not gotten "knocked out" sick. We have gone all spring and summer with out dealing with a bug. But allergies have tried their best. This weekend was Clay's turn to get sick. Today he is home from school - currently sleeping in my bed. Thankfully his fever broke late morning. I don't really think it's the "Flu" bug, but then again the flu can take many forms. Still, we won't be getting shots.

I found a recipe for an electrolyte drink that I can make at home. It's safe for Clay because he can't have Dextrose, which is found in Pedialyte and Gatoraide. 1qt boiled water, 2 T honey, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda. That's it. Lasts about 1 week in the fridge. It tastes good enough so that all my children will drink it if needed. And now I don't have to keep a stock in my pantry!

Dan is off to San Francisco for a couple of days. Then he flies from there to Washington D.C. to appear before an FTC board. All because of some buy out deal that a competing gas co is making in California. I won't see him until Friday or Saturday. November has been a rough month for him (= rough month for all of us).

We had to put a second transmission (in 4 years) in Dan's Explorer. We know we will have on going repairs with that car, but we did NOT!, I repeat, did NOT expect to have to replace another transmission so soon! Have I mentioned lately that I hate cars. ( I like the movie though! :))

Grandma and Grandpa bought the movie last week. Dan and the kids and I watched it last night for our popcorn/movie night. Dan hadn't seen it yet. The boys and I saw it in the theater. It's such a great movie!

Well, it's time for school!

A Day In the Life

This morning Clay was in a good mood as we navigated our way through the morning ritual of breakfast and dressing and waiting for the school bus. So I thought we would celebrate and capture the moment



This was his first "Cheese".













This was his second......















This was his "nice" smile.













And the grand finale smile.....

A little chess before bedtime anyone?

Behold..... I bring you ..... Pillow Monster!

He very much enjoyed playing pillow monster and had his big brother on the floor holding his sides from belly laughter. I'm not sure who came up with the idea. I'm thinking it was the one laughing.

Other happenings: Coleman came down with Croup last night. Very odd for a 6 year old, but he seems to be doing OK this morning.

I am very sore from my first night of WholyFit class. It's a Christian alternative to Yoga. I have never done Yoga before, so I don't know how it compares. I enjoyed it very much and felt the "warm fuzzies" afterwards. I didn't realize how "sloppy" I have become, muscle/balance wise. I am definitely hearing my muscles calling this morning. Am looking forward to improving in that area.

Well off to the laundry room!

Hello, my invisible friends and fam!

Well, we are not exactly "on the air" but pretty darn close. I am still figuring out what I want my/our family "space" to look like. Learning as I go. The first step is the biggest. Hopefully this will be an easy way to keep Grandma and friends "in the know" about the daily scoop.

And speaking of scooping......

Another October has come and gone. My sewing machine got it's annual work out. Sir Triestobegood, Sir Yellsalot, and Sir Harryfellow are posing for the camera at the Texas Ren Festival. The "chain mail" proved not to be too waterproof, as it was raining the ENTIRE DAY! But take heart! They are noble and brave knights......what's a little rain? Sir Triestobegood (left a.k.a. Coby Kidd) The fair maidens however, endured the soiling of slippers and hems, and the frizzing of tresses. Yet nothing a nice $3 cone of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies couldn't cure!

Well I bid you adieu for now.