Monday, December 31, 2012

Goodbye 2012!

You have been filled with both joys and sorrows, 2012.  Today is your final day.  Tomorrow begins a brand new year.  I’m ready!

happy new year cheers

MM and I may be able to stay awake and watch the ball drop in Times Square, but maybe not.  We will definitely be safe at home, and probably sound asleep when 2013 arrives.  No party animals around here, that is for sure.

How are YOU celebrating New Year’s Eve?  Do you have any special traditions?

Whatever you do, be safe, y’all!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Children’s Sermon

Be careful what question you ask kids…out of the mouths of babes can bring the house down!

A Baptist pastor was presenting a children's sermon.  During the sermon, he asked the children if they knew what the resurrection was.  Now, asking questions during children's sermons is crucial, but at the same time, asking children questions in front of a congregation can also be very dangerous. Having asked the children if they knew the meaning of the resurrection, a little boy raised his hand. The pastor called on him and the little boy said, "I know that if you have a resurrection that lasts more than four hours you are supposed to call the doctor."

It took over ten minutes for the congregation to settle down enough from their laughter for the worship service to be continued.

Hat tip:  Cuzn Pat Lewis

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Blue plate special!

Look who we ran into yesterday at lunch…Empress Bee’s sweet Ayla!  Loved getting her hugs, and seeing her new “do.”  Adorable!  Did you tell your mama HI for me?

Sandy, Ayla

So Christmas decorations are all put away for another year.  I don’t like taking them down this soon, normally leaving everything up until Epiphany, but we have to now get ready to pull out next week.  Priorities.  We haz them.  It is three weeks till the blogger’s cruise, and we have places to go and people to see ahead of that.

If you are of a mind to, please say a little prayer for a sista’s DH (dear hubby).  Bruce underwent a liver transplant last night in Atlanta.  I haven’t heard any updates this morning, so I assume and pray that all went well.  As with any transplant, someone lost his/her life in order to make that transplant possible.  God bless all those grieving their loss.

Organ donation is very important, and this is just another example.  I am the lucky recipient of a ligament, so I am especially aware of this need for parts no longer in use.  Be a donor!

And be happy today; hug your loved ones.  Life is precious, y’all!

Friday, December 28, 2012

A bleak, winter day




Cold and yucky, yes it is, so it is just the perfect day to undecorate and get Christmas stuff put away. This is never as much fun as getting it all out, but it must be done. We head south...next week! Yippee!!! Warm weather...I want some.

I saw that our mountains had a light dusting of snow when we went into town yesterday, but it was so overcast that it wasn't a great photo op. Today probably won't be any better for photography either. I will try though. Even the kitties have not begged to go outside with it being so cold. Smart kitties.

OK, I have procrastinated enough. The wee tree is calling my name. Time to get busy.

Enjoy your last Friday of the year. 2012 is almost gone!!! How'd that happen?





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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Christmas chaos, part deux

Here is Maytag Man looking fetching in MY new blue scarf.  He agreed that it was warm.

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Two shy gals:

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And a cutie pie showing off his new Superman jammies:

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Queen Haley:

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Next up, MM and I stopped next door to see the Christmas explosion for the wee boys.  Santa brought this whatever-it-is that had  seventy eleven decals that Jason carefully put in place.  Good dad!  Two boys and frequently a dog actively supervised.

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After oohing and aahing over all the new loot, we all wound up at Haley’s house for a delish Christmas brunch.

Xmas brunch

I then spent a good bit of the afternoon putting over 800 songs on MM’s new iPod Nano.  He loves, loves it!  I ordered him a protective case for it today, and found my old unused phone case with a clip on it for him to tote it and the ear buds inside.  He’d better not lose this!

Yep, he’s wired for sound now…and the beat goes on!

Nano Dad

Everyone lived happily thereafter.

The end.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas chaos, part 1

Here are a few photos from Christmas Eve here in Mayberry.  Enjoy while I do a little cleaning up today, since NONE of it got done yesterday!

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These kids all cleaned up pretty well.  Somehow I didn’t manage to get a (good) group photo of Brian, Faith, and Haley2.  Bugger, but here is proof they were here.  Did I mention it was chaotic?  Don’t look at the mess.PC240083

Haley made a big hit with her gifts of a variety pack of beer for all the big guys.

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More photos and stuff later.  Somebody has gotta clean up that mess!  Guess who?

Have a great day, y’all!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!

 

Christmas tree sparkling

To all our friends who celebrate Christmas, we wish for you good health, happiness, the warmth of family and friends, as well a multitude of God’s blessing upon you and yours.

From our hearts to yours, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve Joy

 

JoyToTheWorldAngels

Santa has already been cleared to land tonight under cloudy weather conditions.  There will be no White Christmas for Mayberry, and that’s just dandy.  We want Santa to be safe.

So the tortellini soup will get made and simmering while we all attend the family service at our church, then our family gathers here for dinner and opening presents.  We will skip midnight mass tonight.  I do love that service but am not up for that just yet.  I definitely hate missing out on singing Christmas carols, so I will just sing in my heart.

When the kids were little it was so hard for them to wait on opening all that loot from family and friends tempting them under the tree, so my birthday marked the day that each child could open (and enjoy) one present, beginning that night until Christmas Eve.  All the presents under the tree were opened then, leaving a clear spot for Santa to place the unwrapped gifts that night.  Before heading to bed, each child carefully claimed their turf for Santa to place the goodies for each one. Santa never failed.

Now on Christmas morning, Haley has a brunch for all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins…whoever!  That’s where we’ll be in the morning.  It is always delish…and more fun family chaos.  Love it.

What are some of your family traditions?  Or happy memories?

These happy memories are some of those things that will keep us smiling in our dotage.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all from our hearts to yours!

Jesus is the reason

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Brrr...chilly, chilly

Let's start this freezing day off with a piece of yummy cookie cake:



It is 22 here and that is just too dang cold for me. I am staying inside another day, with tissues handy and drinking plenty of fluids, and in relaxing clothes. Again. Bugger. I want to feel better by tomorrow!

Nobody wants to be sick at Christmas, but in the scheme of things, this is relatively minor and will pass. The voice is a bit better.

Our wee tree has a few more presents under it for some special people. I plan to finish that up today, so I am making progress but at a snail's pace. That's OK.

Wherever you will be for Christmas, may it be merry and bright, and filled with the true Christmas spirit.

We are all mighty blessed!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Winter is here!

No, I don't want to go outside yet, thinks Missy. My waterbowl is frozen solid.



Srsly. It is a cold 23 outside our house (19 officially), and we did get a few snow flurries yesterday. My sweet daughters took me to a movie and we could see some white stuff up high on our lovely mountains...just where we like it stay.

"Playing for Keeps" was a cute romantic comedy movie, but I was clueless as to who the actors were except for cute Dennis Quaid, who has gotten a tad older, by the way. Hmm, haven't we all?!

All the clan met MM and me for a pizza celebration last night, bravely joined by Jim and Janet. Sniffles are better on the younger set, but I am coughing and doing the nose blowing now (lovely thought), and have moved from whispering back up to croaking. Progress...maybe.

I am staying home, and in sweats today. It's the right thing to do on a cold winter day, plus I need to play elf and get gifts bagged and/or wrapped. Christmas is definitely in the air around here.

Happiness is woven in bright colors of laughter and love. Indeed!

Stay warm! Life is good, y'all.

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Friday, December 21, 2012

Fa-La-La

Three of those “ants” are our girls, singing sweetly the other night.  Love those girls!

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Today confirms that the Mayans are not in charge of the Earth.  I wasn’t a bit concerned.  The world would not end on mine and Barb’s dad’s birthdays!  No way!!!  Sending hugs to my birthday buddy.

Nature is spitting a bit of white in parts of our county, but none here at the house thus far.  I can live without that, thankyouverymuch.

So the laryngitis is still with me.  Bugger.  You don’t realize how much we speak till you can no longer do it.  I am grateful that this is at least temporary.  One guy at lunch yesterday asked me to please breathe on my wife.

Apparently if I could bottle this stuff, I could make a small fortune!

Have yourselves a ginger peachy day.  I sure will, even though I am speechless!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Have a piece of piz-za cake!

Since Amy and Jason were going to a “kiddie” Christmas party last night, she ordered a pizza cake for J’s birthday that the kids thought was WAY COOL:Pizza Cake

So this morning I am still the whisperer.  I had to take one phone call yesterday and felt sorry for the lady on the other end.  I spoke slowly, so she was able to get the info she needed.  I hope.  Texting, emails and hand signals work best for me for yet another day.  Bugger.  I’m sure tomorrow will be a better voice day.

Today, I need to get back to my messy desk that was totally neglected yesterday afternoon, due to feeling crummy.  I hate feeling crummy and will take the no-voice over crummy.

The cold front is almost upon us…gray and drizzle…25 tonight, 23 tomorrow night expected.  I have the kitties locked inside.  They don’t need to bring in wet kitty tracks for me to clean up…again.

So who is worried that tomorrow is supposedly the end of the world?  Not me.  It is going to be a good day!

Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here, we might as well dance!!!

even in the rain!

Life is good, y’all!  Smile.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Happy, happy day!

Please join me in wishing s-i-l Jason a happy birthday today!

Jason, Amy

I have NO voice today.  Literally.  What began as husky went to downright croaky by nightfall yesterday.

Today, I can barely whisper.  I may need a whistle to get MM’s attention…if needed.  Does my new phone have a foghorn on it?!

I typically get laryngitis about once a year, and I was long over due.  It will pass…and all will be well.

We had a major scare with KC yesterday.  He didn’t come inside the night before, nor arrive for breakfast…not typical for our boy.  MM and I both searched for him, shaking the food container, which normally charms him from wherever he is.  No boy.  Lots of worries.

He finally waltzed in totally unconcerned but hungry by late afternoon.  The sun had been out all day, so he was simply enjoying life, somewhere in the woods, after three days of gray.  I can’t blame him for wanting to be outside, but his parents were sure worried about him.  A fox was spotted in the yard earlier in the day, just to add to our concerns!

It’s just another ginger peachy, but happy day in Mayberry!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas luncheon

 

Joy's table

Joy set a mighty purdy table for us five gals last week, and served a tasty luncheon of a hot chicken salad, asparagus, homemade biscuits, and a great spinach salad.  Yum-my.

She sent me the recipe for that chicken dish that I will get around to posting over on dyerdining.  It is a good casserole dish that can be done ahead of time.  I like those, and this one is a keeper.

Miss Eva wasn’t with us that day, but I couldn’t resist showing her off, along with Grammie Joy! 

Joy and Eva

Thanks again.  It is always fun having some girlie time.

And now back to the year-end stuff…that is not a whole lot of fun.  Bugger.  The end of the year is rapidly approaching, and we have to have a lot of paperwork finished before we can head to Florida.

The sun just came out after two days of gray, so Tuesday will surely be a ginger peachy day, and a haircut will also happen this afternoon.  I need it!

Life is what you make it, and I declare it good, y’all!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Rainy day in Georgia

It rained all.day.long yesterday. The boys had slight temps, so we stayed home from church and ALL had a Jammie day. Well, MM and I wore sweats and stayed comfy.



And we read books, watched a little TV, and of course, played with the electronics.

I made grilled ham/cheese Sammies for lunch and homemade chicken soup for dinner, both perfect for our gray day.

The good news is that both boys are going to school today. Everybody is happy, boys included.

Today, I need to seriously get gifts bagged and/or wrapped and take inventory. Time is getting short! And make taco soup for some special gals. More on that later.

It's just another Mayberry Monday. And life is good, y'all!

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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Winter windows

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It's a cold winter morning; a woman texts her husband: 

"Windows frozen."

Husband texts back:
"Pour some lukewarm water over it."

Wife texts back 5 minutes later:

"Computer completely screwed up now."

Have yourself a ginger peachy day, and don’t screw up, y’all!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Jammies and piggies




These Jammie Boys want pigs in a blanket for breakfast, so the little piggies are in the oven, almost ready.

Ready!




Good Grammie!

What's for breakfast at your house?


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Friday, December 14, 2012

Finally…Freddie!

Meet the “new” big guy…this white thing:Freddie

It will replace the old Freddie, in case anyone remembers it:

Brian, Freightliner

Son-in-law Jason found this truck, after a year of looking. It is an automatic, much preferred by everyone but MM for driving!  Slight complication, in that it was located in Boise, ID.  Dear MM volunteered to fly out and drive it home, even asking if I wanted to go with him…NOT! 

MM left Mayberry early Monday morning to fly from Atlanta, then pointed Freddie east Monday evening. It’s only 2,200 miles, so MM arrived home 46 hours later, just in time to go to WingNuts (a 12-year tradition of wings and beer) with the guys on Wednesday night.

Other than 5 degrees and blowing snow in WY, the trip was uneventful.  Jason found a cheap motel for Tuesday night east of Kansas City so MM could get a few zees before hitting the road again.  Google maps says it is 32 hours of driving, so it was not a big deal to do it in 46. MM says the secret is to keep the driver’s door closed and the pedal to the metal. It also helps to have a “camel’s bladder”...and 200 gallons of fuel onboard! 

No, MM is NOT available for any more long hauls…except to drive the moho to Florida after Christmas.

Anyone wanna buy old Freddie?

The end.

Have a fabulous Friday.  We sure will!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Ready!




For what? Clean teeth!

Then medical wellness check ups for MM and me this afternoon. I shall have a clean smile for the choral concert tonight with all our wee gals. We will be loudly cheering grandparents.

Mayberry is totally socked in this morning, all the way down to the ground. And cold. Remind me of why we are still here. Oh yes. Those grand kids.

Relax. Open wide!

Whew. All done.

Life is healthy and good in Mayberry, y'all!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Yucky Wednesday

That describes the weather AND unfortunately both my sweet boys. These smiles are not working today.



Alex got confirmed with type A flu yesterday. Amy just said that Will threw up last night. Bugger. And Jason doesn't feel well. They are all on meds. That black iPad has been disinfected for sure after having both boys here yesterday.

Bless their hearts, with kids, germs seem to find them...often. And in placing my Christmas tree...small fiber optic one...back on the table after turning it on this morning, it managed to fall on the floor, killing the special light bulb in it. Where is MM when I need him? He will be home tonight...and hopefully can find a new lightbulb for me in his stash. I at least have the base taken apart for him, being the good wife that I am.


I haven't forgotten about his travel story, I just have to finish the other half of my cards and get them in the mail so they won't be New Year cards, which is what they might be at this rate. With the boys being sick, that deletes tonight's scheduled Christmas program for them. Bugger.

Y'all have a ginger peachy, germ-free 12-12-12! And keep on smiling.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Piles of stuff

Shopping success, despite the rain. We had it.



Joan and I hit the Canton stores with amazing speed yesterday, whittling down our Christmas lists...finding a bargain or two for ourselves, along with exciting items like coffee and disinfectant wipes for home use. The rain kept the crowds and traffic considerably down. That was a definite plus.

We indulged in soup and salad at the Olive Garden, finished up in that shopping district, then were home at 6ish. It was a great day.

The wipes will be useful this morning...I get two puny boys while Amy does some shopping for school stuff, job related. She fed me dinner last night...good daughter!

MM is on the road, bringing a truck home. More on that later.

BSP annual Christmas party is tonight, so I have stuff to get ready for that. Tis the busy season...in spades!

That's life in chilly, overcast Mayberry. Exciting to the max, yeah baby!

Shall we watch Mickey Mouse, or Chuggington?

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Monday, December 10, 2012

Advent wine tasting

Happy smiles with my gals:



Amy showing off winning best label: Mommy's Little Helper--CORRECTION:  Mommy's Time Out!



Sharon won best red taste, Temper Tantrum. No, I don't know what won best white, just in case you are wondering:



And this is part of the carnage:



No humans were harmed in the process.

This was the eighth annual. All ladies are invited to the ninth annual next year. Get it on your calendar. You don't wanna miss this party at the castle!

Life is good...and raining...in Mayberry, y'all!

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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sunday in Mayberry

But first, I have to show off Ansley’s sweet smile.  She is sitting next to friend Kelle:

Ansley Xmas concert2

And then tell you that she had her “fun” Christmas piano recital yesterday afternoon, and did quite well, but of course:

Ansley piano recital

Tis the season for concerts (instrumental and choral), and pageants.  Our wee kids are involved in them all, which means I REALLY have to keep an accurate calendar of events.

Speaking of events, last night Jennie hosted our annual “Wingnuts” Christmas party for seven couples.  Our guys started meeting for wings/beer on our sorority night about a dozen years ago (invitation only!).  One guy moved away; new members have joined over the years, but these guys are still going strong and still having fun.  Cheers to all of you great fellas!

The calendar today reminds me of the Advent Wine party this afternoon (ladies only), and TWO different Christmas events tonight…at the same time…at two different churches.  Yikes!

That’s life in Mayberry, y’all.  Choices…we haz them.

Keep on smiling…and add red wine!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Afghan love

KC is rather fond of this particular afghan, and the massage chair. Who can blame him? Anyone sitting this chair gets a kitty in his/her lap, whether they want one or not. Afghan: optional.



I am waiting on my turn next:



Who wants to join Missy?

She will share.

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Grammie pride!

Allow me a proud moment to show off our local high school marching band at their Christmas concert last night. I don't know who stole our little Ansley and replaced her with this young lady on clarinet, but it happened...second row, fifth chair.



Speaking of stealing, thanks to Missie for the photo. You had a much better photo vantage point than we had.

Great job, kids!

Next up is the choral concert...piano recital...middle school band concert...the grand kids keep us busy! I have to keep everything on the calendar so I know when and where we need to be. December gets a little crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Life is never dull. And now, back to the idle Christmas card list from a few days ago. Did I mention that things get crazy here?

Never mind.

Have a fab Friday, y'all!



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Thursday, December 6, 2012

New assistant!

Look what arrived at my house…hello, Siri!

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Can you address Christmas cards???

Oh.  Never mind.

We shall get acquainted, now that you are all updated with my stuff.  Oh the places we’ll go!

But first…since it is birthday month, we have to go to the driver’s license bureau.  Won’t that be fun…NOT!

Passport, two pieces of mail in my name, SS card.  Check.

Off we go!

That’s life in Mayberry on St. Nicholas Day.  Smiles and miles, y’all!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Rainy Wednesday




This is our little fiber optic tree. Done! I should have moved the outdoor heater out if the background, but figured I might as well keep it real for my peeps.

We both just had our annual vial of blood drawn ahead of our wellness checks up next week.

For the next round of fun: flu shots! Oh the happy times we have in Mayberry!

These are good things to do in a rainy day.

Hope you have a ginger peachy day!



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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Tuesday stuff

On Saturday, 18 gals drove from Mayberry to Babyland General Hospital for the annual Christmas luncheon with IMG_0313 (2)our area Beta Sigma Phi sistas.  Fabulous catered food, and certainly a lotta fun with 96 women all in one big room!  This is the new location for BGH.  Our girls sure loved visiting at the old place when they were little.  Stop by if you are ever in the area.  Their gift shop was mighty busy.

Joan won this big basket, filled with kitchen gadgets and stuff, a pretty wine glass, as well as a pound cake!

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Our group all went separate ways after the luncheon, some to shop, some to go back home…but Joan’s car of 6 headed to Unicoi Lodge for the festival of trees and gingerbread houses.  Here is a first place adorable snowman tree named Frosty:

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Betty’s Country Store got a first place for The Peppermint Twist:IMG_0321 (2)

And of course the jolly fat man and his wife were there:

Santa, Mrs. Claus

All in all, it was a mighty fine day, getting us all jumpstarted into the Christmas spirit.

I am now in the mood to pull out our wee tree from the attic, as long as my two assistants are outside.  Their help I do NOT need!  KC got shut in our bathroom already this morning, bless his (nosy) heart.

It’s just another day in Mayberry, y’all!