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Scrapbooking vs Hunting

I haven't been scrapbooking much lately. I'm not sure why, just not in the mood. I'm wondering if it's because of hunting ..... new hobby buying for my time. But I'm not really over the top about hunting. I like turkey hunting and I like shooting my new bow, but it's not an obession for me like it is for hubby or even like scrapbooking was for me. I think it might be the fact that I'm not spending any more on it right now. Shopping always put me in the mood. Just to get home and use what I had bought. But I have so much stuff that I really don't need anything other than glues and maybe solid cardstock. I know the new stuff is out, but unless I just need something to complete a page, I can make do with what I have. So, using old stuff isn't really has fun and buying new stuff. And I know that I'm not helping the store by doing this, but it's either buy scrapbooking stuff or buy groceries and believe me, my family likes to eat too much to skip on that. So, buying groceries it is.

Speaking of spending money. Em is going out for middle school cheerleader (something I never did) and it's stinking expensive! Like $1700 total ... no fund raisers! Whew! What a chunck!

18 Days and counting ... sorry I've been MIA!

Not much going on with the family.

18 more days till turkey hunting. Steve called me today and had me listen to the hens across the street. He had taken the 4 wheeler over to where we're sitting up our blind in a couple of weeks .... yea! 2 big toms in the logging road .. whoo.... one for me and one for him! Watch out turkey's here we come!

The NWTF was fun. I have some pictures with "famous" hunting celebs ... you can see them here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017122&id=1316176931&l=22453

Will Primos and Kevin; T-Bone and Michael Waddell and Mark Drury .... all very cool guys and so very down to earth. It's neat to talk to them. I asked Michael Waddell for tips hunting turkeys with a bow and he talk to Steve and I for a good 2 to 3 minutes about it.

Hopefully the next post will includes pictures of me and my big TOM!

Pictures

Birthday presents from Mom and Dad - dinner at Paradise Ridge Bar & Grill

Thats me in a tree ....... practicing shooting from a stand. It's more different than I thought it would be! It was cold yesterday and this was pretty late in the evening.

New Blog look and hunting

So, the first thing you notice is a new blog look. Isn't it cute!?!?! The ladies at Cutest Blog Around the Block can really come up with some mega-cute designs. I love this! So springy!!!

This coming weekend is the NWTF in Nashville - thats the National Wildlife Turkey Federation for those who don't know. The convention is a huge deal. Has 4 acres of booths/vendors for your turkey enjoyment. Not to mention the possbility of meeting your hunting hero's. We didn't go last year since it was in Atlanta. So we're excited to be attending this year.

I shot my bow this weekend in two new ways .... 1) from a blind and boy is that hard! It takes mega upper body strength to pull the bow back when you're sitting. After about 6 shots I was done! 2) From a tree stand. DH put up a stand in the back yard/woods and I shot some out of that. It's a little different too and a little scary too! I'm sure it'll get better!

I had a nice birthday weekend. Very quite and low key. Nothing major going on.

I do have some pictures to post, just got to get them loaded. Maybe tomorrow.

GRADES - they are okay

If you remember from previous posts, DD received a D in math, so she's grounded. Well, we got progress reports yesterday and she stilllllll has a D in math. The exact same grade as the report card. BUT, her next lowest grade is a 77 or 78 in Science and then the rest are A's and B's. Good girl!!! She starts tutoring at the school next Wednesday, so I'm hoping we can get that math grade up to a strong C ...... I'll be happy with that. We have about 3 weeks to do it in. Keep your fingers crossed!

41 more days till turkey season in TN ..... YEA!

Dixie Thunder Chickens ........

Betcha don't know what that is ..................

TURKEY!!!! Wild Turkey to be exact. I'm totally addicted to turkey hunting.... LOVE IT!!!! Our season in TN starts March 28, so Steve and I are in total count down mode. We need another blind or two, because this year, my goal is take a turkey with my new bow! I'm fueled by the need because Steve never has! You know, anything to out do him just once! I told him I wanted to take both to the woods, my bow and my gun...he rolled his eyes at me. I can't take both he said. WHY says I. He said, what if I shoot with my bow and miss am I going to then try with my gun. Maybe I said! Anyways, I'm obessed! Just so you know!

Nope! no Zach or frozen food in the freezer

So, I didn't cook this weekend and our buddy, Zach, didn't come over. BUT I did get the house cleaned and went to Walmart for food. I figured, we aren't as busy right now as we were, so cooking at night really isn't that big of a deal.... tonight we're having chicken-pot-pie, since I started thawing it Saturday. I hope it's good reheated!

More eye problems .... the doctor wants me to wear my glasses for a whole week! Can you hear the pout!!!! I hate my glasses, but he needs my eyeball the correct shape in order to get my contact fitting correctly ... ugh!!!

UFC - I got my hubby tickets to see UFC fight night when it comes to Nashville in April. It's part of his birthday gifts ... just a little early. I have a feeling, everything he gets for the next 4 months will be birthday related (at least that's how I'm rationalizing it!!)

Gotta jet.....

The freezer is running low ......

Well, this weekend is another cook and freeze day at Casa de B. The freezer is running a little low. We found out last night that Chicken & Dumplings don't freeze and reheat very well. Steve said they reminded him of grits with veggies in them. They tasted okay, but looked pretty yucky. I think the dumplings fell apart. So, I'm making a grocery list. We're having a friend of Emilee's over Saturday night - actually he played football for Steve and his parents are going out "alone" Saturday and he wants to come hang out at the house with us..... not sure why, cause we all think our house is boring, but he calls us his second family. He's a good kid and Em and him get along pretty good. So, my plan is to get up tomorrow, clean house, go to Walmart and then start cooking Saturday evening. Cleaning shouldn't take too long....... Em and Steve are going to work on the basement room as I do the upstairs and I probably won't clean on my bedroom, and Em is cleaning her room. Anyways, all that to say, I'll start cooking Saturday night and then finish up Sunday. Not sure yet of the menu, I'll figure it out today sometime.

Here's a picture of Wyatt, Zach, Emilee and Abby last April. Zach is the one coming over tomorrow. This picture was taken after their 5th grade play. Wyatt was a pirate .. the beard is fake.

5th & 6th Grade Cheerleading - 2nd place

Em's little team won 2nd place this weekend at their cheerleading competition. They did good, not great and not bad, but very good. They had one little girl out with the flu, so that threw a kink in their planning, but they worked it out okay.

Here's the only I picture I have right now:

Isn't she cute? Love that big, huge bow. And all that make-up... wow. I think Dad was a little suprised at it, but he made a comment to a friend that when they were on the mat under the lights, you could hardly see it. Her hair was really cute! She's really excited to go out for the middle school team this spring. She can't wait to do competitions all the time. I'm not so excited .. it's expensive!!!

I shot my bow this weekend, quite a bit and didn't loose any arrows!!! I shot at 15 yrds, 20/25 yrds and 30 yrds. Then we went up on the deck and I shot from there to simulate shooting out of a tree stand. I'm did pretty good. Only a couple missed shots. My arm was little sore last night, but it's okay today.

I'm making Em's valentine day cards for her class. I'll post pictures when I get them finished. Only 8 more to go.... well, maybe a few extra for some friends, but classmates are my first priority.

More later ....... happy Monday!

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!