From Verizon to Rolodex

 
With the reality of our journey setting in, the time has come for us to cancel our cellphones. As you can see, both phones have seen better days and why continue to pay over a $100.00 a month when we can't use the phone anyway? How did we ever live our lives without our cellphones? We'll soon find out! With Forrest in sports, I'm sure we are going to have to get some kind of plan. We just do not want a $100-120.00 month bill each month like we have had for the past 3 years. The saddest part of turning off our phones is that I can't retreive any of my contact numbers because my phone is in two pieces. I have lost so many numbers... George can still retrieve his, but that doesn't help me at all!. Please email me your contact numbers and I'll put them in our new rolodex!

Tired of being Sick and Tired

I noticed early Saturday morning that I wasn't feeling up to par but ignored the feeling and went along with my Saturday rituals. After doing some chores, I laid on the couch and took a nap. Bad idea. I woke up to fever and chills. I crawled back to my bedroom where I have been for the last couple of days. I called school today and let them know that I will not be able to come in till next week. I can't get a Dr. apt. till tomorrow at 1:45pm. Good thing I'm not dying cause I'd have to get an appointment to do so. The Dr. would have to "work me in", right? I feel like I have pnuemonia. I am so exhausted. I've had it enough to know how it feels. I hate being sick. Here I am at home, all by myself and I can't scrapbook or even clean. I can barely type this blog. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I didn't even see this one coming. One day I am fine and the next I'm on my sickbed.

Carharrt

 
 
 
I wanted to share these pictures of Carhartt with you. We went to feed the ducks and decided it would be fun to take Carhartt with us. We had never taken him into town with us and I was a little nervous to how he would react to being out of his "yard". He rode just fine the 25 minutes into town. Just before we arrived at the park, it began to sprinkle. As soon as George turned on the wipers, Carhartt began to bark. We had no idea what was upseting him so much. Then I noticed he was trying to climb up on the dashboard and moving his head side-to-side. We quickly figured out what he was barking at-the windshield wipers! He was in attack mode! When the wipers were cut off, Carhartt was quiet. This was a hilarious site to see, but not to hear. We would turn on the wipers just to see Carhartt try to attack the windshield. When we arrived at the park, I had George turn the wipers back on and put Carhartt on the dashboard. I wanted to take a picture of what other drivers were seeing as they passed us driving down the road. Thanks to Carhartt for a great laugh and memory!

I love to Blog!

I just want to say that I absolutely enjoy blogging. I remember when I first heard the word "blog". At the time, I had never heard of such a word. Who would have invented this word, much less put a definition with it? I would like to thank that person if I may. I thoroughly enjoy blogging. It is a personal journal opened to anyone around the world. The ability to express yourself is endless and not just with words, but with all the free gadgets, slidshows, video clips, tickers, stat counters, feeders, etc. What a wonderful invention! I absolutely love reading my family and friends blog. I love to visit their favorite blogs and I do not even know these people. I love to see how they personalize the blog to their character. I am not a big computer fan, but since I have been introduced to the bogging world, that has changed! Blogging is better than email. It's a glimpe in the everyday life of the blogger.

Weatherman is a BIG FAT LIAR!

Brad Travis of WAFF ch. 48 said we would receive 1-2' of snow today. I try not to get emotionally involved, but his forecast was right on the money he said or he just likes to hear himself talk to get ratings. He must have a contract with Walmart to receive a kickback if he predicts snow in the weekly forecast. I didn't run to get snacks or movies (my "milk and bread") like I have in the past, but I was looking forward to being snowed in. We all have to admit, snow is an exciting event here in the South. You can't help but get your hopes up! In sister's town of Lagrange, GA., if snowed for a long time! They were able to build a snowman and they weren't suppose to get snow. Their Sunday church was canceled today because of how much snow was falling. Next time, I will not get emotionally involved. One thing hasn't changed: when snow is in the forecast, it's nowhere in sight, but when it isn't, snow just falls out of the sky. I hope that when snow does feel like falling from the sky, Mr. Weatherman has no idea it's coming. Right now, that would make me feel better! lol

Guitar Hero is a Big Zero!

We bought the xBox 360 and Guitar Hero 3 for Forrest and Sadie for Christmas. They had both played Guitar Hero 3 at Walmart and Sam's Club and even I played a song or two too. It was fun. I like rock and roll so we thought it would be a good investment for our family. Wrong! Some of the songs I have heard on this game are horrible! Forrest was at the end of the "medium" level and had to beat the "devil" in order of beating the game. I walked into the room and couldn't believe what I was hearing! "Six,Six,Six..of the devil..satan has done his job..." I immediately told Forrest this song was inappropriate and he turned the volume down so he could finish the game. Unfortunately, he didn't beat the devil and lost the game. I asked him what he thought about the song and he told me he didn't know it was a bad song. He was only trying to keep up with the notes. In the eyes of my 13 1/2 year old son, he was only playing a game. He wasn't paying attention to the words. The other day, Forrest was playing a song where the singer was screaming the lyrics. Now I really understand why my mom was so overbearing in trying to control my music. Ozzy Osbourne is a saint compared to the music on this so-called game. This weekend, George and I are going to sit down with Forrest and Sadie and go through each song to determine if we should allow it to be played in our home. It is either do this or get rid of the game. I do have to admit that I have almost mastered the song "Talk Dirty to Me". I am at 44% on expert. But is this a song I want my kids to sing over and over? NO! Had I known what I know now about this game, we would have never considered buying it for our children. This game has a rating of "T" for teen. I give it a "NT" for no thank you! Therefore, I rate Guitar Hero 3 a BIG ZERO!

Remembering 2007

January
George's 43rd birthday
we bought a brand new computer the day Vista came out. We have officially been "pimped" by technology!
Forrest and Sadie begin fighting over who uses the computer first!
Forrest made Merridianville Middle School's soccer team
Sadie begins to take violin lessons along with her piano lessons

February
George is called as the Elder's Quorum President
Forrest is called as the Deacon's Quorum President
George buys a 1978 Formula Firebird (numbers matching/we're the second owner)
Forrest has either soccer practice or a game every day of the week!

March
We went to MK's for Spring Break
days of school are numbered

April
I finally said "yes" to allow Forrest to try out for football. He waited five years to here this word!
I coordinated a BSA yard sale at church that raised $1000 for the boys to go to Camp Daniel Boone in NC in July.
We buy the hardwood floors/subfloor for the livingroom and hallway

May
construction begins as we rip up carpet and subfloor in livingroom/hallway
My sister and I flew to Salt Lake City, UT for a wedding and had the best time of our lives! (It has always been a dream of mine to visit Temple Square.)
Sadie's first piano recital
Forrest made the footbal team!
School's out for summer!
Our 14th wedding anniversary
YW pre-camp (I'm camp director)
Family vacation to Nauvoo, IL

June
we are still working on laying the hardwood floors
YW Girls Camp
Sadie's 10th birthday
I was called as RS 2nd Counselor

July
hardwood floors are finished! They are so beautiful!
Forrest attended the Daniel Boone BSA 8 day campout in NC. I drove the boys and had Cay Stamps ride with me. On the way back, we stopped in Memphis to see my brother FIV.
I had a hysterectomy/bladder tact
days of summer are numbered!

August
Forrest's 13th birthday
school starts back (Forrest in 8th/Sadie in 5th)
Football practice everyday afer school for three hours
I begin my 8th and last year of teaching
I turned the livingroom closet into a scrapbooking refuge.
paid off Living Scriptures! They have been a living thorn in our side!

September
gave my first RS lesson
George's one year anniversary at his new job with EG&G
I bought a new camera: SRL Nikon D70s. It's to die for!
Went to many football games to cheer Forrest on

October
George decides to purchase a 46" flat screen tv
13th year Trick or Treating with the Ropers
football is over-we have our son back!

November
2nd Annual EQ Skeet Shoot
discovered how to "blog"
traveled to Lagrange, GA for my sister Mary Kate's daughter's babtism
Our family met in Knoxville, TN for Thanksgiving at my brother Frank's house
first time I have ever finished my Christmas shopping before December

December
completed a 50 page scrapbook layout challenge
I turned 36 ( still feel like I am 16!)
enjoyed the Christmas season and being with our family

I told my Principal

As most of you know, I am going to be a full time homemaker as of May 23, 2008 ( at 2:30pm to be exact!) We made this decision to bring me home a year and a half ago. I was nervous to let the cat out of the bag too early at school. I felt that it was time to tell my principal as contracts for the next year are due for teachers to sign for next year. I wanted to beat my contract so I told her on Friday. At first I was so nervous! But then I was calm and collective in my conviction and my principal was very happy for me and respected my decision to come home and be with my children. I felt like a huge monkey jumped off my back after the meeting with her. My secret is out. Before my secret was out, this journey seemed "surreal". Now, it feels real. It is happening. We are on the last leg of the race. Everyday we are moving closer and closer to the finish line. I just need to figure out what I will do with myself once we cross the finish line! lol

Poker and Friends

 
 
 
 
Saturday night we went over to the Stamps. She made a fabulous dinner for my birthday. We had Chicken Louise with aparagus and rice, yummy! Cay made the best apple pie I have ever tasted!!! Of course there was Blue Bell with the pie.
After dinner, we decided to play cards. We started out with Blackjack but soon we were bored so we moved on to Poker. It was my first time ever to play Poker! I must have had beginners luck, because I won three hands! After cards, we began to go down memory lane as we looked through Cay's old pictures of her and Kevin in the "early years". George and Kevin showed of their early days by putting on earrings. They both haven't wore earrings for years! As always when we go to the Stamps, we had a fantastic time!

Post Christmas

Is your tree still up? Christmas decorations still out? I am just curious as to how fast and when your family cleans up after Christmas. Are you ready to pack them up or are you wanting to enjoy them throughout the month of January too? I often catch myself of saying we do not have many "traditions" in our family and after I said it, I realize that we have had a tradition for almost 15 years...putting up all Christmas decorations by 12 noon Christmas Day. We are so ready to have our house back from the decorations! How quickly do you pack away your decorations after Christmas?

Happy Birthday George!

 

 

Today is George's 21st birthday! That's what I said, but I stood to be corrected. George said he was 18! Let's just say he is "half-dead" as he refferred to himself at 40 and four years today have passed since that dreary day. Do the math! Sadie loves to bake so she did the honors. She was in such a hurry to present her cake to Dad that she wouldn't wait on me to make the frosting! Thank goodness we didn't have 44 candles, because Sadie would have found a way to put them all on the cake the fire alarm would have gone off for sure! Happy Birthday George! We love you!

happy new Year w/ Mormon Champange

 

 

We went to Granny's for New Year's Eve and to celebrate the new year. Forrest and Sadie were saying all day that they were going to stay up till 2008. Granny and Grampie bailed on us around 11:30pm. Grampie did wonder back in to see the ball drop to officially welcome in the new year and to take a picture of us at exactly the beginning of the year 2008. Sadie and I ran outside and screamed "Happy New Year" to all the neighbors. It's just a little tradidtion we have started. Forrest and Sadie made Mormon Champagne, a mixture of grape/peach juice with ginger ale. It's really good! We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that you have a wonderful 2008.

Happy Birthday Mom!

 
Sadie made me this delicious birthday cake for my birthday. Sadie took to the kitchen to do her baking. When she was done, she brought out her cake, baked in a glass pan smaller than a loaf pan, with 36 candles for me to blow out. It took my a couple of blows to get all the candles out. We were surprised the fire alarm didn't go off with all the smoke the candles were producing! Thank you my sweet sadie-girl for my beauriful cake! I love you forever!

Havoc Hockey Game

 

 

I received free tickets to the Havoc game for last Friday night so I took Sadie and "the girls" which are Eryn and Natalee Ricks. We had the best time! The girls had never been to a game and they really loved the three fights the hockey players got into along with participating in the "wave" . We sure had a blast!