Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Today I pick up my new and crazy contacts. I'm so excited about the possiblity of seeing clearly. If they don't work, do you know how disappointed I'll be. I know they will take some getting use to, but my Doc really has me pumped up about the being able to see like someone with 20/20 vision OR better! I'm thinking Tiger Woods vision!!!!! (you know he has better than 20/20, right).

Em's competition is Saturday and the girls are so excited. I can't wait to see them perform. There is only two in their section, so no matter what, they bring home a trophy to the school, but they really want 1st! This is another reason I wanted the contact before this weekend, so I can see the girls performing, not ours really, but all the rest of the schools in our division.

The turkey (chicken) noodle soup mentioned in the last blog was a huge hit. I actually have a bowl of it today for lunch and it's almost gone! Steve has had it for a couple of meals and Em has ate it a couple of times. It was really, really good!

I'll post later about the contacts... let's hope they work!

I did it again....

For the second weekend in a row, I spent a couple of hours cooking meals to freeze. Yesterday I made lasagna, chicken & rice, chicken pot pie and Taco Soup. The Taco Soup I actually made and put in the crockpot last night, so we'll have 1/2 of it tonight for supper and freeze the other half for another night. I also put in the crock pot Saturday night a turkey breast. So we had it for Sunday lunch. BUT I have a lot left over and I sweetly asked my mom to make me "chicken" noodle soup out of it. I gave her the meat and noodles, so she's going to make it for me and some for her and my dad. I know it'll be yummy if she make it! Even though this cuts out a hunk of time on the weekends, with it being so cold right now, I don't really mind it. AND I love not hearing the "whats for dinner" question. I still have chicken & dressing, 1/2 a pork loin and a container of chicken & dumplings in the freezer from last weekend. We've got enough to live on for 2 weeks!!!

Quick post

Just a quick post to say, please pray for my husband. He's been having some neck/shoulder issues as a result from an accident at work. He didn't report the first accident right away but after it happend the second time, I convienced him he HAD to go to the doctor ... NOW. So, he's seen occupational health three times and they are sending him to a specialist, which happens to be my beloved orthopedic doctor, Dr. Allen Anderson. He operated on my knee 23 years ago when he was young and learning. Now he's a seasoned shoulder/knee specialist. I hope he can help Steve.

Please pray for him and his visit and that we can find either what is wrong or at least how to help him with the pain.

Why does it seem when it rains it pours .......

If you'll remember, DH and I are TERRIBLE at saving money. As soon as we get a little extra, we spend it on things we want (not need!) I tend to buy clothes for me or Em and Steve tends to spend his savings on hunting stuff. He really is better than me, cause he does save. I'm always buying stuff during the week that cuts down on the savings. So my silent vow to myself is to keep a certain amount of money in my savings account here at work (we have several accounts ... my account at the credit union is the main one though - I have an account at Suntrust for Em's school stuff and Steve has account at Regions for his work money and business account) Don't ask, it just works for us. Anyways, I had maintained the "certain" amount for several months and at the end of Dec, that amount had increased tremendously. So, I increased my silent vow ..... something I should have never done. First, contacts ... $230 unbudged or expected expense. That cut into my amount, but its okay, I'll keep it at the first "certain" amount. THEN last week, $338 for gas .. another unbudgeted or expected expense. Now, top that all off with, I have $600 a month I'm paying tuition and another CRAZY $$330 for the NES bill (that's the electic bill for those out of state). So, my first and second vow has been blown to hades to put it nicely. I love that we have the cash for these little unbudget expenses, but I hate that I'm let myself down with the vow I made. I will eventually get the amount back up, but it will take time and I hate that.......

On to more "fun" things! I cooked all day yesterday. I decided that since I hate the question of "what's for dinner" and DH asks just to bug the heck out of me, I'm going to cook some stuff that we can use for supper all week (trying to save money for the savings account). So I went to Walmart yesterday with my handy list and bought stuff for 4 meals. And two of those meals I divided for 2 extra days. So we have in the freezer, Potato Soup, Chicken & Dressing, Chicken & Dumplings, Parmeasen Chicken & Penne, and 1/2 of a Pork Loin. WOW!!!!! I'm excited to just be able to pull stuff out of the freezer in the morning to thaw and have it ready that night to heat.

Gott run and do a little work .... it's snowing here and it's really hard not to stare out the window and hope for inches .... it'll just be a dusting (or so they say!)

Later tater!

DAYS OF OUR LIVES and more .....

If you've ever read my blog, you know I'm a huge Days of Our Lives (DOOL) fan. I've watched the show since I was a little girl staying with my grandparents during the summer months. They ONLY watch channel 4, so I ONLY watched channel 4. I remember Ralph Emery show, DOOL, Another World and eventurally Santa Barabara. Of course, when I was in school I didn't get to watch and then when I started working I missed out on DOOL, but it's so easy to catch up on. Now with the internet, I can read about it everyday and even the day before. I also get to watch it on the Soap Opera network on DirectTV at 10:00. Steve makes fun of me, cause as soon as he gets in the shower to go to work, I'm flipping it over asking him if he wants to watch it with me .... knowing he won't! He just makes so crazy remark about DOOL and bugs me. This is where I'm reading my day before scoop http://www.dayscafe.com/ They give really good day before reviews. The place I use to read stopped producing because of a programming change, so I saught (is that a real word?) another place. I know DOOL days are numbered, there ratings are dropping off like crazy. I just think more people work during the day, so not as many watch anymore. Plus, so many people want "reality" TV - not me! I want something that is all fantasy ... I don't want to think about real people with real problems - I have enough of that myself. I want to get lost in all the great stuff soaps offer you.... sex, drugs, affairs, romance, scandal .. just your basic stuff! John and Marlena are getting written off the show and I think eventually they will bring them back, but just like a football team, I imagine soaps have salary caps and I'm sure there salary is on up there. Well, enough by DOOL ... just know I LOVE IT!





Steve called yesterday to tell me that his hours have been cut. He's down to 32 hours a week and no overtime. We weren't really expecting that. Who would have thought hospitals would have to cut back in this ecomonic downfall, but I guess it effects everyone some how. He's worried about making it without that day. I am worried a little, but then again, really I'm not. That just means all unneccesary and extra spending is cut. We just need to be more careful. The good thing is he's still full-time, still has benefits and I'm still full time with a job. It could be a lot worse!





Gotta run ........ here's a picture for ya!

SILLY GIRL!!!

GROUNDED .........

Okay, grounded could mean a few things. But those who know me know it doesn't mean anything too deep. In our house grounded means ....... everything you love gets taken away. SO, Em is grounded from her phone, iPod, computer (only 10 min at a time when I approve), and has to do homework at the kitchen table instead of her desk in her room. Why do you ask!?!?!? A 69 on her report card in Math. Okay, when I was in school, a 69 was a F. Now its' a D+. One point from a C-. I'm not sure exactly what happended. Her progress report was okay, nothing I remember being terrible, other than science, but she maintained that at a C+. I think a lot of it is non-organization. Really, she is so unorganized. I try to tell her all the time to put her stuff in the right folders, but she doesn't. I'm hoping this is a leason learned. I let her continue cheerleading because it's over at the end of the month. He it had been entirely up to Dad, she's be grounded from that also.

Hmmm, the wonderful world of parenting........

The deer is here!

So, the big deer that Steve killed in 2007 is now living on the wall in his "man cave". It came via UPS Wednesday. It's really big and really pretty. Here's a shot of him with the monster:

I have to admit, I'm proud of my man getting such a big deer. Of course, he went hunting again Nov 2008 and didn't get anything, but a deer like this is almost worth two trips! Notice, I said ALMOST. This year he's not going to IL again. He's leasing land in KY to hunt on. It's less than an hour away, which is great and KY deer are usually pretty big.

I've been back to the eye doctor because I can't see that well, even with brand new contacts. You know, my prescrip changed in Aug so I got new contacts and a new pair of lenses or my glasses. I paid out of pocket about $400. But I've really not been able to see that well and I really notice it in my left eye. So, I called Dr. Choate's office and went in right before Christmas again. I've been working with Dr. Judkins, which I really like and she was preplexed as to why I couldn't see. Well, Wednesday I went back, tried on my contacts and still couldn't see. What is happening she explained is that my toric lenses are rotating too much, causing blurry vision. Dr. Choate came in and I thought the intern was going to make an appearence too to check me out. I'm a challenge they all say. SO, basically my problem is my eyes are cone shaped or nipple shaped. My cornea sticks out too far and causes the lenses not to fit properly. It's a little unusal for someone my age to have this problem this severe, I don't think at this time it's anything to worry about. I'm sure he'll continue to monitor it, beause some extreme cases require cornea transplants! WOW, how scarey is that!!!!! Anyways, there are contacts I can wear, but they are HOLY COW expensive. Let's just say, I wasn't planning on spending $229.55 Wednesday when I went to the doctor. AND that was after a $140.00 credit! They are a "hybrid" contact of a hard center and soft "skirt". So, a combination of hard & soft. It takes like 17 hours to make just one contact .... WOW! But Dr. Choate says I'll be seeing so well, that I won't care how much they cost! You know, it's been YEARS since I've been able to see good. I mean I've never had better than 20/20 vision ........ maybe I can now! That would be a miracle! Here's the link to the new contacts I'll be getting: http://www.synergeyes.com/ and look, they have a $50 rebate ... you know I'm printing that off! :-)

It's over .... so sad!!!

I love Christmas. I don't really love getting ready for it. But I love to watch people open their presents. Especially when they haven't really asked for anything (like Steve) and I get them something really cool. Case in point.... I got Steve a hemp/leather wooden cross necklace. He's wanted one for a couple of months, but I think he gave up find one like he really wanted. And although this one isn't exactly what he is looking for, I think he loves it. And he looks pretty sexy in it!!

So, here a few pictures of "Santa" gifts for Emilee.

I know she looked at it and thought, hey that's not much, but ..... she also got a new bed and desk for her room. So she really racked up (as usual)! She got the Wii, DVD player (for her room), iPod Touch, North Face Jacket, make-up, clothes, and lamp & chair for room

I got my bow .... although I got it mid-November. But Steve brought it up Christmas morning ...

I also got a new North Face jacket in a pretty winter white. Yea, I sooooo needed a "casual" type of coat to wear with jeans. All I have is a dress coat and a leather jacket.

Here are a few moore Christmas pictures.

This is Emilee at Nana's with her iPod Touch

And here's our tree for this year.

It's almost here ....... last day of work & Christmas

So, I'm off Dec 22 thru Jan 5 ........ I'm not sure if I can contain myself. How great will it be to sleep past 5:15am! I won't get to sleep too late in the morning though, cause DH is still working and he'll be in around 8:30 - that is if he's working. He's really hurt his neck at work and finally went to Occupational Health Services today. He really didn't want to turn it in as Workers Comp, but he hurt it working, so I think they should take care of it. Plus if is insurance even thinks it's work related, they won't pay it! So, maybe (I shouldn't say this) they'll tell him to stay home next week ... although he'll drive me crazy! But it would be nice to spend a week with him and Emilee doing nothing (except cleaning).

I'm still shooting my bow. No pictures yet (maybe next week). I'm getting okay. I'm really trying to work on my form so I'm changing things a lot, causing me to not always hit my target. I shot for about 30 min last night. My arm's not to sore, so I'm getting use to it. My elbow still hurts some, but not as much as it did and every once in a while my shoulder will hurt, but I can live with both. There was a period of about 3 weeks where I thought I was going to have to cut my elbow off. Tennis elbow really hurts.

Christmas is almost here and I feel bad. By the time I get Emilee finished and get all the stuff I need to do parties, Christmas dinner and food for the house, I'm out of money to really get Steve something nice. He's getting 3 wrapped presents and $100 cash. I think I ended up spending about $230 counting his cash. I know he spent more on me, but I'm all he spends his X-mas saving on. I use mine on all of Emilee's presents, plus mom & dad and the few "others" I have to do. He's okay with it though it seems. But I feel bad. Every year I vow not to use my credit cards for any Christmas presents. Last year we did a little, but it was interest free and we paid it off within the year. I think I might have to break that vow and get Steve a little something else - although I'm not sure what! Something hunting related? Clothes? He really needs a nice Titans t-shirt & sweatshirt ... maybe?

I'm almost ready to leave work. Gotta run to the CU and bookstore, meet Dean W to give him a present and then off to get Em at school. Then gotta take back a present to exchange for the right size (bought a pair of shoes in 2 different sizes and didn't know it)

I pray that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll post pictures after Christmas, as our family is getting suprise this year that only a few of us know about. My dad doesn't know and he's going to be sooooo suprised!

Christy .... out!

Beautiful paper crafts and more

I have to admit, today I've been trying to catch up on some blogs that I didn't read (don't have bookmarked at home.) I can slip in and read one blog before anyone even knows at work, except when my boss sneaks up on me deep in the middle of Melody Ross's blog .. oops! Anyhoo, stumbled across Tim Holtz's blog, which I don't read everyday, but occasionally. I'm not a stamper. Never claimed to be. I think it intimidates, plus it requires a lot of stuff and I already have a lot of stuff wrapped up in scrapbooking, don't need anymore. Back to Tim. He has this really pretty tag on his blog I'd love to recreate, can I? Probably not! #1 I don't have the stuff ... #2 Don't have the time.... #3 Wouldn't know what to do with it if I did make it! Here it is .... 12 Tags of Christmas

If you are smarter than me and we all know you are ... you can do this. He gives you step by step instructions.

Blog ya more later.... gotta run work a little!

All I want for Christmas

I have to admit, I want EVERYTHING!!!!! But I know, I won't get it all ......

I've already gotten my Christmas gift from DH..... a completely outfitted bow. So, he's finished with me, cause he's got about $500 wrapped up in it!

But I still want:

• Gift Certificate to Bass Pro (to get stuff to hunt with, especially safety harness which is about $150.00)
• Clothes
• Antique library cabinet (dad is getting this for me!)
• New dishes (already picked them out)
• New Silverware (mom & dad already got this)
• iTunes card
• New towels
• Knives for kitchen

I'm sure there is more stuff, but that's about the jest of it. As you can see I'm already getting some of it. The library cabinet my parents are getting a steal on. The place where I got Em's bed has it and the lady said I could have it for like $150.00. But now I'm "selling" her Em's headboard and footboard and she's giving me the cabinet for $100. So worth it with all the storage I can get from it .... stamping storage! And the top of it will make a perfect stamping spot! I can't wait to get it and at least get it cleaned up.

Christmas shopping is almost done for me. After getting Em's clothes this coming Friday (taking a day off to shop with Nana) I'll be finished with her (other than stocking stuffers) and I'm almost finished with Steve - just a few more things for him. Then my parents are all I'll have left.

We put up our tree last night. I need to take a pictures and post it. It really needs more ornaments on it, but I really want all clear or white ornaments and just need a few more boxes of glass balls to finish it off.

Gotta go get Em at cheer practice. More later!

Nothing exciting happening in my world.....

Em and I cleaned her room alittle Saturday getting ready for the day bed. Right now she's sleeping on a mattress in her floor. She's pretty excited about the bed and painting her room. I think we've decided on a turquoise/aqua color with this duvet:

It's from dELiAs.com. Pretty cool girly stuff.

I'm excited because it has a lot of colors to work with ....... alittle black, white, yellow, orange, pink.... I think it's going to be a great room!!!! What I'd really love to do is replace the flooring in her room after we paint and before it's considered finished, not sure if that will happen or not! Not enough money in the old budget to do it all at once.


My bow is in and I've bought a release. I've been practicing pulling it back, which has resulted in a sore arm and hand. It'll get better though!

More later .............

New bedroom & haircut

Disclaimer: no pictures yet!

Em has wanted a daybed for a couple of months now. Just to give her more floor space in her room. See, we have a small house. Back when it was built, probably average, but now it's just small. The bedrooms are the worse. Em spends a lot of time in her room goofing off and watching TV. So, I've been kinda looking for a black-iron daybed. I told my friend Sharon B what I was looking for because she works weekends at an antique store. Well, Thursday I told her and she called me that night telling me they had just gotten one in. WHAT luck!. So, Em and I went out there to see it. PERFECT! It even comes with a trundle. And on top of that, Sharon has a white desk that will work in her room too!!!! So, we came home Saturday, cleaned up the room some, took the old bed down and for now she's just sleeping on a mattress on her floor. She already likes it cause she says she had more room.

AND while we were in Mt Juliet, we had a wild hair to get Em a hair cut. She wanted it cut mid-neck. SO, off came about 5 inches of her hair. She likes it, but not as much as I think she thought she would. I think it looks cute. And it was so easy and quick to style. The only problem is pulling it up for cheerleading. Oh well, as long as she likes it.

Oh yea, she has a boyfriend too. And she is very excited. This little boy (Jeb) really seems to like her and he is very nice to her. Which I try to stress that it better to have someone that is nice to you and treats you good than someone who is great looking. Anyways, the fun is only beginning .....

What to get a kid who has everything?

So, I'm not sure what Santa will bring Emilee this year..... of course Em wants everything expensive. A Wii, an iPod touch, Vera Bradley stuff, American Girl stuff... the list goes on and on. But as I've told her year after year, mom and dad have to pay Santa for the toys, so be thoughtful with the list.

She's asked several times about Santa being real. My answer, which I believe, is that as long as you believe you will receive! So, that's my answer and I'm sticking to it.

Back to the question at hand. WHAT DO I TELL SANTA TO GET HER? And what do I get her? DH says no to the Wii, cause he thinks she won't use play with it after a couple of months. I think she'll play with it more in the winter than summer. When it's warm enough, she wants to be outside... which reminds me of getting her a new Razor scooter. She really needs a new one. That will be good. Mom & Dad might get that one! Score one for me!!!

What else? Leave suggestions. She's 11 years old.

A couple of things.............

My bow is bought!!! Yea! I can't wait to get it, get it set up and start shooting it. I really want to learn how to do this. I want to make my husband proud of me. You know hunting is really his thing, but I like that it's something that we can do together. I mean can you see him scrapbooking?!?!? I don't think so, but I can picture myself hunting!

Speaking of scrapbooking, I'm going to a crop tomorrow night. FUN! Just a chance to work on Emilee's albums for a little while and probably do a lot of talking! :-)

I'm almost finished with the 4th Twilight book.. Breaking Dawn. It's really good. I should finish it up today while my boss is in ALL DAY meetings!

Thats all I have for now!

Blog ya later!

One more thing .... you know the hunting thing?

Well, DH is suppose to buy me a bow so I can bow hunt with him next year. He doesn't have time to help teach me now since he leaves in a few weeks for his hunting trip, but by next year I should be an eagle eye ...... yea right, I can't see out of my contacts sitting at my computer desk, how am I suppose to kill a deer. Lucky for me my right is usually my "good" eye and it's also dominant eye. So, if you can recommend a good bow... I'm up for it. My draw is 26" and 40 lbs (right now).

Thats all.

OMG - it's been so long

Sorry ..... not much really happening that needed to be said. Just regular life stuff.

We went on vacation in July, school started in Aug, football & cheerleading, my job was deleted end of July, got another job (same place), started new job Oct 1, DD danced with Titans - was on the stage!, school football is over, cheerleading for basketball is around the corner, Titans are 7 - 0, DD is going to be Dorothy from Wizard of Oz for Halloween, and it's almost halloween.So that pretty much sums it up!

So, now for some pictures:

Vacation picture Myrtle Beach, SC = family shot. The wind was blowing like crazy. Mine and Em's hair was crazy............... (this picture has been edited in PSE)

Another shot of the three of us.

The whole crew. Grandaddy, Me, Steve, Nana and Em. Not sure why the picture isn't all that great. Probably could use Nana's loving touch in Photoshop.

I've been in my new job about a month now. Not much different than any other administrative assistant job I've ever had. Just a different boss. Although this time I'm dabbling in the publishing world - that's new. Which is weird considering our business is publishing. I work with the Young Adult Curriculum, which I'm no longer considered a Young Adult, now I'm just an Adult! :-)

Titans ......... what about them Titans 7-0.... beat the Colt! YEA! Here's some pictures when Em danced! It was The Sept 28th game against the Vikings.

Before the game. We have to be at the games when she dances at 8:30. Which means she has to get up around 6:30. She doesn't do mornings well. She really didn't want me to take this and it was chilly.

Here she is dancing. Such a natural. She was on the 10 yard line, front row. She did sooooo good.

Here she is right in middle of the stage .... she was one of 6 girls picked to dance on the stage at the end of the routine. This is the Titans 10 yr anniversary in TN so the theme this year was Past, Present & Future. They had all the cheerleaders dance from the past 10 years plus about 200 little (future) girls. It was really neat, but a lot to watch. I think Em felt a little slighted till she got to be on the stage, because she knew everyone would be watching the "big" girls. She really loves to do this.

After she cheered, we went and picked her up. She talked Daddy into a new jersey ($70!!) . Then we went back to our seats with Beth Watson and her crew. This picture is of Em and Erica. Erica is 18 and is Em's role model!

Family shot after the game. Em was so tired and hot, but she looked really cute in her jersey, fancy earings and little cheerleading skirt!

We also went to Gatlinburg a couple weeks ago to take Em to her first UT game. Yes, they won the game we went to, so that was nice. We had a good time. Here are a few pictures:

Em's birthday

So, I'm a little late on reporting on the 11th birthday of one very loved little girl. She got the blue iPod Nano - 8g ...... wow, she's already went through like 35.00 on iTunes. She gots lots of clothes and $200 cash that she's saving for vacation (what will she do with that??????). Here's a couple of picture .... kinda over exposed, but you get the idea.



Wonderful cake from Sweet & Sassy. Isn't it pretty. They make the best cakes. I can't say it taste better than any other cake. But for some reason, their icing is the BEST and they never fail to impress me with their creativity.

Then, me and Em. Isnt' she cute. This was taken at Kubuto, where she tried Sushi for the first time! She liked it okay .. we might try something different when we go to the beach in a couple of weeks.

Okay, just wnat to say

that I'm such a nut .... I'm loving Days of Our Lives right now! How about EJ & Sami? I really like them together!



Well, just to recap NSD. I got about 12 pages done ...... not completed because they still need titles and journaling. But the bulk of the layout is finished. I actually finished up an Easter layout last night from a couple years ago ... again, no titles, just general layout. I was scheduled to go on a scrapbooking retreat May 30 - June 1, but it's been cancelled because its just a busy crazy time right now.



Em's b-day is next week and all I have her is clothes. She wants another iPod, a larger one in blue. I guess that's what she'll get. And probably the accessories to go with it. I'll probably get it at Walmart since it's close and easy. We aren't having a party - probably celebrate it with friends at a cookout and then probably just have dinner with Nana & Grandaddy on May 21.

The crazy bug that has us all in an up roar!

So, one of the guys on my floor showed me this blog this morning. It's a crazy LARGE bug that the homeowners found while pruning a tree. So, all morning it's been the topic of crazy converstation.

http://carriehayes.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/what-is-this/

We have recently found out that it's not real! THANK GOODNESS! Now tell me, would you want this as decoration in your yard?