Month: September 2012

High Five for Friday!!

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Thank goodness it’s Friday!!  It has been a long week!  I am excited to share with you some of the highlights of my week.

Welcome to Fairyville signs & playbill.

Sunday afternoon Miss Neenee had a friend over after church.  Thank goodness we are well versed in the arts around our house.:)  I enjoyed a 30 minute play called, “Welcome to Fairyville” starring, written, directed, chorographed, & costume designed by Miss Neenee & her friend.  They dressed as fairies, in tutus, danced, sang & entertained.  This was the ticket I had to have to “get in” the play.  These are some signs that were taped around the room.  What fairy town would not be complete without a mall & a gun shop??

Gooseberry yogurt-yummy y’all

Had a little Gooseberry yogurt with Miss Neenee.  It. was. amazing.  I can’t tell you how much fun it is to try to guess which flavor I am eating.  (Because I put some of all of it in my cup.)  What did we ever do without a do it yourself yogurt shop?

Best cheeseburgers in town! Downtown Borroum’s Drug Store

Got to eat some good food at the drug store.  If you are saying , “Who eats at a drug store??”  Has never had a cheeseburger from this place.  All the fountain drinks & milkshakes are made right in front of you.  Shut the front door tastiness.

My new initial earrings- in love.

So, when we were paying our check at Borroum’s, the young lady taking my money had on some lovely earrings similar to these.  I commented on how cute they looked on her & of course asked where she got them.  Come to find out, they came from a store, just down the street.  I went by there & these jumped out at me.  I know the girls at work are sick of seeing them this week.  It’s just so hard to take them off….

Chicken chili-a fall favorite

Last week someone commented on the taco soup I made.  They said they loved chicken chili.  I couldn’t get it out of my head.  I had to make some & it was delish!

Thank y’all for stopping by & sharing Friday with me!  I hope you all had a great week.  Until next time…. I have to go because I should be washing clothes!

I Found A Real Live Angel At The Consignment Store

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You know how sometimes things just happen to you & you think-wow, there are nice people still in the world?  I had one of those moments Saturday. 

My youngest & I had a day out in town.  We ate lunch at a local drug store (they have the best burgers & fries).  And actually had dessert at another pharmacy. (No, there was no theme for the day- nor did we plan it that way!) We window shopped at a few stores downtown in our little corner of the world.  Local merchants really are the best.  I love the mall, however, I do not love the money it takes to shop at a mall. 

In recent years I have been all about getting a good deal.  If I feel like I have gotten a good deal I am really happy.  Thus, the reason we were rummaging around in my FAVORITE consignment store, on Saturday.  This consignment store has all kinds of things-furniture, dishes, books, clothes, jewelry, shoes, etc.,.  You just never know what you may come across, that you have been looking for,& just have to have.  So I have set the stage so you will know what bliss I was in.  I took my “had to haves” to the counter & the nice lady rung up my findings.  Miss Neenee, who can behave wonderfully, when she wants to, came over to me & asked me if she could get a book. (For those of you reading this, that know us, I know you are thinking- “you mean the same girl that runs around like a wild Banchee Indian after each church service?”  Well, you have to understand as a kid, that acting, the way you are supposed to , at church, was a big problem for me.  So, she comes by it honest.)

Anyhow, this day, her manners were working impeccably & she was being really good. I let her put her $.50 cent book in with my bounty.  I paid & the lady gave me my sack.  She asked Miss Neenee, “Do you like jewelry?”  Of course the Miss got all brighted eyes & says, “Yes, ma’am.”  The lady said, “Well, I have something for you.”  She hands over a long black box that contained the prettiest amber colored beaded cross necklace & earrings. 

Beautiful necklace from the lady at the consignment store

I asked her, how much it was.  She said,” I want to give this to her.”  I about started crying.  You see, the lady looks to be about the age my Mama would be.  I have a “thing” that makes me sad- just knowing Miss Neenee is growing up without a living grandmother.  I was so close to my grandmothers & loved them more than anything.  I know how important it is for a little girl to have a grandmother to spoil her. When we come across kind people like this, it just melts my heart.

In Hebrews 13: 2 the Hebrew writer states- Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

I think that’s what happened to us Saturday.  We entertained an angel! 🙂  Have you ever had a wonderful experience like this?  I would love to hear about it.  Right now I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes…..

High Five for Friday!!

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Here we are again with another High Five for Friday!  Following are some things I that I loved from this week-

Taco soup...warms you up every time!

We had some cool fall like weather this week.  When fall begins, there is nothing better than homemade soup.  Mine was Taco Soup!  Very yummy!

My nephew was a homecoming court escort at our local high school.  He is looking very dapper with my girls!

One evening Miss Neenee wanted to make her own dinner.  So, I did some housework, while she was busy in the kitchen.  On the menu was a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, cheese Pringles,  a dill pickle & diet dr. pepper.   Does she need me for anything anymore???

Love my coffee in my Rachel Ray owl mug.  One of the reasons I get up in the mornings!!

A lady from our community sponsored her 2nd 5k race this year.  It is in memory of her mother, that lost her battle with ovarian cancer.  This year she raised over $10,000 to be donated to help fight ovarian cancer.  I was honored to get to be a part of the 5k race. While I did not set record time, I was just glad I finished!  It did rain & a donkey tried to chase some of the participants!  It was a fun day! 🙂

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!  Thanks for coming by to visit with me as I give my H54F!  Link in below with Lauren @ My Grey Desk for an awesome link party at her blog (just because it’s Friday!).  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes!

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Yes, Carrie Underwood, we all know you have amazing thighs, so you are welcome to put them away….

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I was watching the Country Music Awards last night, when low & behold here comes Carrie Underwood.  Her singing was amazing.  She was sure to entertain.  Especially, since she had on her shorts, baring her legs, again.  We saw her knockout legs on her video “Remind Me” with Brad Paisley.  And her “Good Girl” video, and ….. get the picture??  Yes, Carrie Underwood, we all know you have amazing thighs, so you are welcome to put them away, at any time.  Seeing Carrie out there on stage, looking gorgeous makes me feel like any other red blooded American woman.  Well, mad.  You see while sitting there in the living room watching all 72inches of Miss Carrie, with me, was my husband & my 8 year old daughter. My husband was all glassy eyed, staring at the t.v.  My 8 year old daughter said, “Mama, her thighs are so pretty.”  It’s not that I am not trying my best to keep my daughter from having body issues, as it is.  Now, I have a gigantic perfectly bodied singing woman standing there in front of us.  That’s a lot to try to live up to. There’s not many women out there that are as beautiful & talented.  And here she is making the rest of us look bad.  I mean what she has going on is almost unrealistic.

My friend SC a little something to post about on Facebook about Miss Underwood:

So I’m surfing through fb on my lunch and see a video of the cma fest preview.  I love carrie underwood. I loved her voice from the first audition. However, for once I would love to just watch her sing without having to stare at her thighs… While she balances on stilts to make them look more pronounced. All the while feeling like I am the most inadequate woman alive. We get it… She looks amazing. Now put em away. Okay… I’m going back to my tortilla crusted fish lean cuisine now….

I am glad God doesn’t have an unrealistic view of beauty.  He wants us to be more beautiful on the inside.   He wants us to have a clean heart.  In Psalms 51:10 it reads: Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.  He wants love for one another, inside our hearts.  John 15: 17 These things I command  you that you love one another.  He wants us to have the fruit of the Spirit, as well.  Galatians 5: 22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control.  Against such there is no law.

Remember God does not look at a person, the same way we do.

I Samuel 16:7 …For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

 I just want to make it clear, I am not bashing Carrie Underwood.  I think she is a very lovely young lady. I am just thankful God doesn’t care what my thighs look like.  I am so glad you stopped by to visit with me today.  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.
***Special thanks to my bud SC for letting me use her Facebook post!!!

Memories in the making……

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An unshared life is not living. He who shares does not lessen, but greatens, his life.- Stephen S. Wise

In a fast paced world of jobs, school, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and household chores, it’s easy to forget to spend time with the people you love. Togetherness gets lost in trying to coordinate schedules & keeping up the workload & activities in a busy life.

I know of some families that still get together on loved ones birthdays, that have passed on.  It is just simply a meal with reflections of that person.  Wouldn’t that be admirable, just to honor someone in such a way?  Another family goes on a trip each year on the date of a passed loved one’s birthday.  It’s just a way of them keeping in their remembrance the joy they had for that person.

Another thing to do is to make a tradition with your family.  One thing our family used to do is on Christmas, at my grandparent’s house, was exchanging gifts.  One of the gifts was always a box with 2 ugly neckties.  Whatever lucky person got them, had to save them until the next year.  Then, they could give those 2 ties & add any other article of atrociousness to it, if they chose.  It was fun each year to see who was going to end up with the ties.

Just know, when you look back on your life. It won’t be the big promotion or the grade average that will warm your heart. Rather, important memories of the times you shared with loved ones will warm your heart. Enjoy your loved ones now, while they are still here. Celebrate life with the people dearest to your heart.

Challenge: Mark on your calendar & make a date with someone you love. Have dinner with your family, take your grandmother or grandfather on a picnic, go walking with a friend, take a pet or a child outside & play in the yard. Make some memories!

I hope everyone takes time out this week to spend some time with someone you love. Let me know what you did & how it turned out. I can’t wait to hear about the fun you have.  But right now, I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes!

Parts of this article was taken from a book- 101 Ways To Make a Difference Today by Candy Paul

High Five For Friday!

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I am so excited to be back giving a “High Five For Friday!”  Here are my High Fives:

EA aka one of my college kids, helping Miss Neenee with Math homework-without me even asking!

So, there I was hurrying around the kitchen, cooking supper, trying to do 3rd grade multiplication (oh I have nightmares of times tables when I was in 3rd grade), & there comes my sweet EA.  She can sense my despair & jumps right in to help.  (Either that or she was ready for me to get dinner finished!)  Either way, what an angel! 🙂

Attended Friends & Family Day at the church where I grew up.

My wonderful uncle called me & invited me to Friends & Family day at the church where I grew up.  So, yeah, we went & saw our family &  our friends (who are like family!)  My Daddy preached at this church for 20 years.  My Mama & grandparents went to this church & are buried there.  Love going to visit with this precious church family!

Steak fresh off the grill!

Every Thursday my husband is off work.  Every Thursday he puts something on the grill.  Last night it was steak.  So yummy!

Before the cupcake was devoured!

EA had a birthday this week.  Somebody got invited to the party.  Where somebody ate ALL of his chocolate cupcake.  Then, somebody got a bath right after that!

My cupcake from the birthday party! WHOO HOO!

Thankfully, somebody did not eat all the cupcakes!  This one was mine!  Yea!!

I appreciate you stopping in to see my H54F!  I hope everyone had a great week!  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes!!

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Ever Have Too Much To Do??

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I am usually a happy person. Most of the time. But some days there just seems like there is too much to do. The schedule may be so full with appointments, meetings, and obligations that there just seems like there’s no room to breathe.  Life often contains too much work, house work, parenting, yard work,  & other responsibilities, for one person to handle.  It can leave me feeling frustrated, anxious, & out of control!

When that happens to me, as it may happen to you, I have some options.  I can retreat into a shell of inactivity and leave everyone who is counting on me out in the cold.  I can struggle my way through, moaning & groaning, making everyone around me wishing I had chosen option one.  Or I can pull my self together & deal with it.  All the while getting my perspective realigned by reminding myself what Jesus said to Martha in Luke 10: 38-42.

Jesus went to visit Mary & Martha at their home.  Martha went about trying to get things together for her company (as many of us do).  While Mary sat & visited with Jesus.  Jesus told Martha she had become distracted with much serving (v.40).  He reminded her that her sister Mary had chose the one thing that would be never taken away (v. 42).  Like a lot of us, Martha had gotten so wrapped up in her service, that she forgot the most important thing- fellowship with the Lord.

Are you overwhelmed?  Don’t lose sight of your priorities.  Spend some time with the Lord.  He will lift your load & give you the right outlook.  Thank you for visiting with me at my blog.  Y’all come back any time! I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.

Psalm 27:4  One thing I have desired of the Lord,… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Parts of this article was taken from a devotional from Our Daily Bread, authored by Dave Branon.

9/11 Moment of Silence-I’m Glad My Grandmother Was Not Here

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God Bless Kris Jenner.  I know she was just probably just happy to tell her story of her breast augmentation on the national news.  I know she probably did not purposely schedule her interview with NBC,  during the moment of silence for the 9/11 victims.  So, let’s not be upset with Kris Jenner.  I mean, who does not want to want to look so chic at her age?  I am blaming the Today Show.  I mean come on- where does the nonsense end?  Please read on of the happenings:

NBC skips 9/11 moment of silence, keeps up with Kardashians

By Chris Francescani

NEW YORK, Sept 11 | Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:46pm EDT

NEW YORK, Sept 11 (Reuters) – For NBC’s “Today” show, keeping up with the Kardashians on Tuesday trumped observing a moment of silence marking the attacks of Sept. 11, an American television news tradition observed by every other U.S. broadcast network.

At 8:46 a.m., ABC, CBS and Fox all aired live silent footage of grim-faced firefighters and somber families from various memorials, marking the minute 11 years ago when the first of two hijacked airplanes struck New York’s Twin Towers.

NBC’s “Today” morning program at the same moment broadcast an interview with Kris Jenner, the mother of Kim Kardashian and a cast member of the popular reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

NBC has found itself under scrutiny since ABC News’ “Good Morning America” recently snapped a 14-year streak as the top-rated U.S. morning show.

NBC did not immediately return calls for comment but defended its decision to the website Politico.com.

“The Today show dedicated a considerable amount of time to September 11th coverage this morning throughout the entire show,” spokeswoman Megan Kopf told the site. The program included an extensive segment on a 9/11 survivor.

Returning from a commercial break Tuesday morning, “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie introduced Jenner at 8:45 a.m. and began a discussion about the celebrity’s breast implant replacement surgery, the run-up to which was featured on one of the show’s episodes.

“I gotta say,” Guthrie began, “I know you guys are all for ‘baring it all,’ but is there ever a time where you say ‘OK, we can turn the cameras off now?'”

Jenner said no.

“You know, I thought it was such a great idea to film that,” she replied about replacing her implants. “It was so important, healthwise, to remind women, you know, check your expiration date!”

Throughout the day, the network morning-show industry hummed with animated discussions about NBC’s unexpected programming.

“Oh…my…God,” one rival “Good Morning America” staffer intoned. “What were they thinking?”

NBC is controlled by Comcast and Fox is owned by News Corp

This is what was happening on NBC- during the 9/11 moment of silence:

NBC was reporting interesting news like Kris Jenner’s take on her TV filmed breast augmentation

This is what should have been happening:

NBC should have been having a moment of silence to respect those who were effected by the 9/11 attacks. Like this precious little girl that lost her Dad.

 

Am I the only full blooded American who feels like they deserve an apology?  This was the anniversary of 9/11- the day that remembers when bad people boarded planes & killed innocent Americans- for insane reasons.  If not for this day, I would not have been afraid to be alone at my house that night- ALL THE WAY IN MISSISSIPPI .  Darryl Worley & Alan Jackson would not have gotten to sing their awesome country songs reminding us of the pain & fear that struck each American in our hearts, that day. We suffered as a nation.  We came together & prayed for people we had never heard of before.  We mourned for the common good of man. It was a call to repentence.  But now, NBC has made a mockery of us & our grief.  It’s not Kris Jenner’s fault.  And to put Savannah Guthrie in the hot seat for that one.  She’s just trying to get started on a good foot with America, why would you give something like this to the new girl?  It’s kinda sad, kinda ridiculous, mostly makes me want to have NBC go out & cut their own limb off the peach tree – to bring back in for a good leg striping. However, instead of turning it to the Today Show in the morning, I believe I will be coasting on past to ABC or CBS, who showed respect & dignity.  If my grandmother were alive, she would cover her mouth, shake her head & proclaim, “Well, I’ll say.”  Which is what she always said when she was in disbelief of someone’s rudeness or unethical actions.  Then, she would proceed with something like, “They outta be ashamed of themselves. I know, they was raised better than that.”  All I have to say is God have mercy on the Today Show & God Bless America.

High Five For Friday!! H54F

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Alright!  Here it is.  My first “High Five For Friday”.  It is just a little something telling 5 things that have happened recently, that make me happy.  Hopefully, this will be one of many posts of this kind.  There are many other bloggers that also participate in this little party!  I will be hopefully linked in with “My Grey Desk” blog.  She has a list of other bloggers that give a “High Five For Friday”  Hope you love it!

Miss Neenee’s 3rd grade “Recycling Project”

1.  Miss Neenee had a “Recycling Project” to do using garbage (just phrasing what the note sent home said!) It is an owl bank.   We used a clothes detergent bottle.  She painted the front pink & the back turquoise.  We used a cut toliet paper roll & painted water bottle tops for the eyes, a painted milk jug top for the beak, trash bag twist ties for the wings & bow.  For the feet, we used thread spools painted yellow.  However, the Miss is holding the owl by the feet, so you can’t see it.  We had a good time making this for school.

Grandbaby bathing…

2.  Got to keep my grandbaby & of course he played in the sink!

Fried potatoes & fried okra (my favorite anything is fried!)

3.  My Daddy’s birthday was Saturday.  So, he came over Sunday after church & we pigged out on southern comfort food.  Fried potatoes & fried okra were on the menu.  Along with meatloaf, shells & cheese, deviled eggs, blackeyed peas, & cornbread..shut yo’ mouth!

Some good bedtime reading!

4. Everybody has to have some good bedtime reading.  Miss Neenee & I prefer Fancy Nancy (that’s fancy for would rather have).  If you read Fancy Nancy, you just totally got that last sentence. 🙂

Awesome Train C.D.

5.  Got this awesome Train c.d. from my hubs, just because.  He’s a keeper.

Hope everybody has a great Friday! H54F!

How to be happy

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Do you want to be happy?  Here is some advice taken from television personality Andy Rooney of “60 Minutes”….

“For most of life nothing wonderful happens.  If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy.”

“If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage, or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time.”

“If on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink, or nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”

Being with friends can make you happy!

Isn’t this so true??  It’s the small things that make our life so full.  A kiss from a loved one, a visit from a friend, or maybe just a call or card from someone saying they are thinking of them.  Or maybe it’s a good cup of coffee in the morning.  Trouble is, if we don’t enjoy plain old day to day life, then there’s not much hope for true happiness.  We should go into our day believing everything is great, that people like us, that we are special until someone tells us different.  The exciting thing is, we have the ability to be as happy as we choose to be.  So, let’s choose to be happy!

I know I blogged, not too long ago about true happiness.  I hope you are not bored by my thoughts regarding happiness.  I just think sometimes happiness is learned. No one feels great & wants to be happy all the time.  But if we learn to smile & discipline ourselves to have a good attitude, we will learn choosing happiness is just as easy as choosing gloom & doom.  And it makes us so much nicer to be around!  I have loved spending this time with you today.  However, I have to be going for now, because I should be washing clothes!