Oh Happy Day!

Oh Happy Day was all I could sing at 5:43 this morning, when my phone rang and I listened to an automated message telling me that we'd be on a two hour delay.  I reset the alarm on the clock, snuggled a little closer with Robbie, and went right back to sleep.  It was 8:30 before I knew I was in the world again.  I should have got out of the bed and worked on doing SOMETHING, but all I managed to do was head to my little office and lurk on Facebook.

I SOOO should have died my hair at least!  I'm trying to let it grow out and it's really getting on my nerves because it's at that funky stage where I can't seem to get it fixed right for the life of me.  Here's how horrible it looks today....SILVER roots and ALL!  Even if I am diggin' my new Lane Bryant sweater!  Boo-Yow!

I hope you all have a wonderful day today!  I am looking forward to helping chaperone a field trip tomorrow!  YAY!

Old Farts' Blood Pressure Medication Club--President

Well y'all...it's official.  I'm now a certified member of the Old Farts' Blood Pressure Mediciation Club!  I found this picture online and thought that I MUST include today. 
I went to our school nurse yesterday during my planning time and asked if she'd check my blood pressure.  It was 148/118.  She nearly freaked out and made me call and make a dr. appt.  The first one I could get was 1:40 PM, so I headed that way.  They immediately did an EKG but that was normal, praise the Lord!  They did a bunch of blood work and gave me a prescription for LOTREL, which is two medicines in one.  I'm hating the fact that I'm now on meds for blood pressure, but at least my pill is pink.  YAY!

I am one of those kinds of people who never has any kind of an idea of what to tell people when they ask what I'd like for Christmas.  I have found something that I think I can't live without.
It's the Sizzix Big Shot.  If any of you have this, please comment and let me know if you love it or hate it.  I have seen lots of videos on YouTube about how it cuts fabric--up to 5 layers and I can't wait to get my hands on one.  I think I'll use my Christmas money from the parents and inlaws and take the plunge.
Also on my list is one of these in any amount:

Hope you all have a wonderful day as I'm off to eat my tuna fish and fruit cocktail as I try to...

Secret Santa @ School

Hey Y'all!  I hope you've had a great weekend and are ready for a busy week!
I am a little ticked off this morning...just so you know.
Last night, after church, I had to stop by the store and get a few things that we needed.  As I was giving Mr. Dollar General my money, a lady came inside and said it was snowing!  I hurried outside and got in the minivan and called Big Daddy and Robbie.  I could hear Robbie running to the back door to catch this year's first glimpse of snow.  He was screaming at the top of his lungs and he was so excited.  He was hoping I wouldn't have to teach school today so that we could stay home and enjoy our day.
NO. SUCH. LUCK.
Oh well---it was nice to dream a little bit anyway, right?!
Before I forget, and this is off the subject....if you like flavored coffee creamers, go, run to your nearest Wal-Mart and get the Coffee Mate CARAMEL APPLE flavor.

 

 It may just be my new favorite.  It sat in my fridge for about a week, because I kept thinking I wouldn't like it...but...I love it!  SO there...hee hee

A couple of weeks ago, we drew names here at school for our annual Secret Santa game we play!  Me, Big Daddy, and Robbie went shopping Friday night and bought gifts for mine.  I hope they like them!  I sent one of my students this morning to deliver the gift for my person.  I was so happy to see her coming back in with a gift for me too!  Here's what MY Secret Santa got for me:

 

You can't tell too well in the picture, but it's the prettiest pale yellow color!  LOVE IT!  I searched for a scarf pattern using only one skein and found this:

ONE SKEIN SCARF

I think I may work that out tonight or tomorrow.  I have a huge granny square afghan that I'm working on for my daddy.  I thought I was finished, but it's a little too small.   Hopefully I'll finish that tonight after supper!
Please say a prayer for me.  I went Friday for my "girlie check-up" and my blood pressure was too high.  It was 156/110.  Ever since I had my gall bladder removed, it's been really high.  I'll be 40 in July, so I know it's time for everything to start falling apart--literally.  High blood pressure runs in my family, so hopefully we can get this under control really soon!

Hope y'all have a MARVELOUS Monday!

Stinky Winky

Can I get an AMEN?

After having the past FIVE days off, it was so hard to get out of the bed this morning.
School is back in session, full swing.
Christmas parties, choir practices, completing all of my homemade Christmas gifts, baking, candy-making, shopping, holiday swap thingie, LOTS to do.
My prayer today is that even though we all are involved in many activities during this time of year, that we do not lose sight of the real reason for Christmas.
I get so aggravated when I see Happy Holidays instead of Merry CHRISTmas!  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but without CHRIST there would be no Christmas!

HILARIOUS....

Well---to us at least!
Big Daddy and myself went to a Chinese restaurant last weekend.  He spit his tea out,  after reading his fortune!
Hopefully you'll find it as funny as we did!
Have a great day!

Ugh......

I realize I haven't blogged in 14 days.  It's ok with me.
Right now I have a lot going on and I'm gearing up for the holidays and a trip to Tennessee soon.

Please set your DVR's tomorrow night for TLC (The Learning Channel) and watch our friends, Freddie and Kay Combs on a TV Show called, "Ton of Love".
Click HERE for more information.
If you look at the pictures included with the article, Freddie and Kay are in #2, #3, and #4.  I can't wait to see this show tomorrow night!  10PM Eastern Time....
To the right are some pictures from my college days with Freddie!
Freddie and I met way back in 1989 while we were freshmen at Mars Hill College.  We were both music majors and instantly became friends.  He is a male form of me and I'm a female form of him.  We're both bossy, demanding, musically inclined, hilarious (well---in our own minds at least), close to our grandparents, Southern and proud, Christians, love to eat, family oriented, and many other things.  One of our favorite things to do when we were in college was to call each other on the phone and just start laughing for no reason.  I'm talking about the kind of laughter that is borderline insanity and you're near peeing your pants, or you've already passed that point and couldn't care less! 
We talk daily on the phone, if possible and I think of him and his wife as our dear friends.  Please make sure you catch their show!  You'll be blessed and glad you did.
Also, I'm asking that y'all pray for my best friend Sharon's mother.  Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer awhile back and is not doing well at all right now.  Last week they drained a little over a liter of fluid from her lungs as she has pneumonia and was having difficulties breathing.  They took her back to the hospital yesterday morning and she is still there.  Please pray for Linda---for peace---for healing---for strength---to feel God's presence.  Please pray also for the medical staff tending to her, and for Linda's dear family.  I have grown up at her house.  Sharon and I were in kindergarten together and are very close.  You know how it is when your best friend's going through a hard time and you want to be right there with them.
Hope you all have a good afternoon!

Hey Y'all!
Well....the football game was a success!  Robbie had so much fun and his half sister was so excited to see him!  They haven't seen him since his birthday in February and so it was nice!
He took her flowers and we celebrated her last home football game as a member of the marching band at our high school!
Below is a picture of him and his sister, Mary.

Robbie and his birth mother, Deanna.  Isn't she beautiful?

I hope y'all have a great day!  I'm home with Robbie.  He threw up yesterday at school and had a fever this morning when we got up.  He's sleeping hard on the couch as I type this.
There's so much I want to type, but I need to stay near him!
Have a wonderful day!

Stepping out of my comfort zone---prayers requested

Hey Y'all!
I hope you're having a great Friday morning.  The weather this week has been just as creepy as the holiday that's in two days!  We had HOT days early in the week followed by crazy tornado watches and warnings.  About 30 minutes to the west of us suffered some pretty bad damage after some tornadoes actually touched down.  Please be in prayer for these families as some of them have lost everything.  I saw a picture of two Hispanic teenagers helping their grandmother dig and plunder through the wreckage where their home once stood--that huge framed picture of Jesus was just as meaningful to me as was the look on the grandmother's face. 
Now...on to something more happy!  Today Robbie's class all came to school dressed up for Halloween.  They'll be trick or treating around town today as many businesses do this for the daycare kids!  Here he is with some of his friends this morning:

Finally, I would like to ask y'all to keep us in your prayers tonight.  Robbie's half sister is a senior in high school and is a member of the marching band.  Tonight is a home football game and it's senior night for the band kids.  Her father isn't in the picture much and awhile back she sent me a message on Facebook wanting to know if he could escort her on the field tonight at half time. 
Robbie knows he's adopted and he knows he has a sister and he knows who his birth-mother is---but he's 4, so exactly what he understands--well---I'm not sure.  It's been awhile since we've spent any time with his birth-mother and half sister, but it always makes me very nervous.  I know she couldn't afford to keep Robbie and I know that she wanted us to have him, but I still get very uneasy when I'm with them.  Please pray that everything will be okay tonight.  I want Robbie to know who they are---I want them to be a part of his life---I want him to know his story and where he came from---I want him to never want to leave me and go with her---I guess I really just want Jesus to hold my hand tonight.
Thanks!

Big Junkin' Mama--another AWESOME blog!

Hey Y'all!

Hope you're having a wonderful Thursday! 
I just wanted to share with all of you that I have started another blog to do along with this one. 
Please hop on over to
What I Found at The Junk Store Today! 

It shows my daily junkin' loot from my favorite junk store in my hometown.
I also let you know what I spent!
If you see something that I bought that you just HAVE to HAVE---we might be able to strike up a deal, but I ain't promisin' anything!
Also, found a few new blogs that I think are so cool!  Try to check out:

Trashy Betty

She's giving away a free pair of earrings too so be sure to pay her a visit!

I found Sophie's blog about losing her Uncle Joe so moving, that I decided to read it to my 7th graders.  Several tears, including my own, were rolling on cheeks.

There are more, but I'm running out of time to get this posted!  Hope you have a great day!

This Past Weekend....

Hey Y'all!
This past Saturday was our annual Girls Day Out!  My mama, my sister, and myself paid homage to our favorite Christmas Craft Show.  It's called Christmas Made In The South.  You can click on that link if you're in the southeast and find dates and locations.  If you're anywhere near a location, I beg you to go!  You WON'T be disappointed.  They have these craft shows all over the southeast and we just LOVE going!
While we were there, I found a place that had all kinds of flavored hot cocoa mixes for sale.  They were a little pricey, but they are SOOO good!  I've already gone through a 13 oz bag almost. You can click HERE to go see all of the flavors of hot cocoa that The Perky Moose sells.  They have an online ordering system too in case you want to try them.  Man---it's good--real good!!

 Upon entering, they have the cutest little snow scenes and I took advantage of the opportunity to take Robbie's pictures:
Isn't he just adorable?!

If that ain't cute, I sure don't know what is!!
************************************

Today, on my lunch break, I rode by a church that was having a yard sale...yep...on a Wednesday!
Not a LOT of stuff, but I did look underneath a bunch of nasty looking tablecloths and found a huge stack of doilies!  I also got an old teapot--can't remember the name right now but it's the old blue china painted stuff.  Wedgewood maybe?  Kindof like this...

I did notice a small crack in the lid, but it's not bad.  Here's some of the doilies!  Got all of this for $10.00.  Not a STEAL, but if I would have been in an antique shop, I'm sure I would have paid three times as much.  Plus---I don't know why I have such a love affair with old crocheted doilies....oops...yes I do!  I'll post that TOMORROW for you--it's another family history thing.
Anyway...here's some doily pictures:

Have a great day!

Pumpkin Patch and The Family Tree!

We took Robbie to Maple Springs Farm in Dallas, NC, week before last, for our yearly visit to the pumpkin patch with our church family.
Hope you enjoy the pictures! 

 Cutest little Piggie I've ever seen!

My favorite picture from the evening!

We've taken a picture by this old scarecrow every year!

Last Thursday, Robbie and I decided that we would take a walk in the woods when we got home.  We walked to the creek where my pappaw gave me the worst whipping I remember.  I was about 9 years old and we were taking a walk to the creek when I smarted off to him.  I saw him rip a hickory limb off of the tree and watched in terror as he was heading my way.  He was the kind of man that rarely had to discipline us, but when he did, it was so bad that he didn't mean for you to forget it.  So, as I began to run from him, I wasn't paying attention to the big pile of cow poop that was right in front of me and I ended up stepping in it.  When I did, my flip flops allowed me to hit the ground, thus ending up with cow poop literally from head to toe.  I ran as fast as I could to get to the creek to wash it all off and the water was only about 4 inches deep.  As I lay there making "snow angels" in the creek, my pappaw met me there with his hickory and boy did I get it!  It was horrible and I kept thinking, "Isn't having cow poop from head to toe punishment enough?!"

ANYWAY----one time way back in 1983, we all took a walk to the creek.  My Pappaw thought it was a good idea to pull out his pocketknife and carve our initials in that tree.  They're still there in the tree and my brother and sister have added their spouses to the tree too.  Guess me and Big Daddy will have to carve out a spot for us on that tree since we've been married longer than my brother and his wife, and my sister and her husband.
The CRAZY part of the whole carving initials on the tree thing is that my pappaw's initials are GONE.  His were right underneath mine, but something like some kind of tree funky fungus ate the bark off where his initials were....I know, RIGHT??!!
So...here are a few pictures of our walk in the woods last week.
Hopefully I'm back on schedule with blogging.  I've been one Busy Big Mama lately!

The Family Tree

Full Shot of the tree--or as much as I could get!

 My sister and her husband's initials--they were engaged when they did the carving but have been married 6 years now.

 My brother and his wife's initials.  They too were engaged when this was carved.

 

These are my nephew, Nickalas' initials.

 My initials and where Pappaw's are gone now.

 My sweet boy in front of our tree!

 Walking out of the busy world and into these woods does something for your spirit and makes you smile!

 The famous creek--where I really met up with cow poop, a hickory, and my Pappaw's temper!

 On the way out of the woods, back up the hill.

I hope y'all have a wonderful day today.  I'm making potato soup, cooked cabbage, and cornbread for supper!  It's a nasty rainy day, and that meal just soothes me thinking about it!

TART TIME! WOOHOO!!

Hey Y'all!
Hope you're doing well and had a wonderful weekend!  It's time for a busy week for all I'm sure!
Robbie and I have started our own little business and we're on ETSY!  Check out our BIG LUCKY MAMA'S store and buy lots and lots of tarts! 
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR STORE
I've also been very busy making TOO MANY hairbows!  They'll be listed on there this week!  I am also taking orders for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas bows.   I love making your little girls look even that much better!
What have YOU been up to?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Coming tomorrow:  Our trip to The Pumpkin Patch with Robbie!

Time for the FAIR!

Hey Ya'll!  Have you missed me?  Sure you have!
I've been so busy--but who hasn't?!
Everything is back to normal with my gall bladder removal surgery.  I feel great!
We took Robbie to the Cleveland County Fair this past Tuesday night.  He had so much fun!  Even won a little 25 cent penguin for $3.00 when he hit a balloon with a dart on his first try!  Enjoy the pics!
This picture below shows a ring Big Daddy found while just waiting on Robbie to ride the teacups.  I debated turning it in, but knew whoever I gave it to would be sliding it on her finger just like I could, so I just kept it.
Overview of the Fair during the day

Robbie loved the Teacups!

He was in CORN DOG HEAVEN!

Big Daddy and Robbie--my two sweethearts for sure!

On his favorite ride...

Funny Face!

My favorite Fairgrounds treat!

Fat Girls' Delight!

I know, right?!  Couldn't you just DIE?!

And what would a fair be without Funnel Cake?

Robbie with his Pop Pop and MiMi!
We laughed at this picture after it was taken!  I told MiMi she looked like the virgin Mary with that Ferris Wheel Halo!

OK---so nobody told me that our shoes had to go inside of the burlap bag's flap.  Hence the getting stuck 3 times coming down this giant FUN SLIDE, and me having to do the "Pelvic Inchworm" move to get us down!  HILARIOUS!

Have a wonderful weekend!  If you live near Cleveland County, NC--make sure you go to the fair.  It was wonderful!