Put a fork in me...

I am done!! I am having a week where I have raced around from one thing to the next and I gave up weeks like this!!! I have really tried to just concentrate on our little (well, compared to the DUGGARS) family & not much else because lemmetellyousomething, that in itself is a LOT. It has been a fun but FULL-of-activity week. I am not even going to say the word BUSY (burdened under Satan's yoke) because I hate that word!! When you tell someone you are so busy, as in, "I've just been so busy so I couldn't call you", you are communicating that you really don't care a whole lot about them because you didn't take time to call. I am digressing with the best of them and that is because I am zonkered! Do you all feel this way this week? I am so excited about our program and feast at school tomorrow, though I CRANKED out some casseroles today!! This is a little stream of consciousness post, isn't it? Well, dahlin' readers, I am off to bed. Will someone take the fork out?

I Crack Myself UP!!!!

When you move to a new town, it takes a while to figure out "your places" such as your drycleaner, who will cut your hair, who will vaccinate your children, and where to buy some new frocks. Word of mouth tends to be the best way to find things, but it also helps to drive around. I don't remember much about last winter, but I think little H & K & I did a lot of exploring! On my expeditions, I have often passed by a little shop with the most beautiful flowers sitting in containers near the road. I have wanted an excuse to spoil myself with these flowers because they are so varied and unique and just gorgeous!!! I have always wondered how much they cost because the sign does not say when you drive by in your car. Well, my sweet friend, W, had a birthday yesterday. We were meeting for lunch today and I planned my morning so that I would have just enough time to scoot by this flower shop to buy one of the gorgeous, ready made bouquets. I knew how much I could spend and everything. I had really thought about this and planned to buy these flowers!! H & I zipped to the front of the little shop and I stuck my head in the door to ask how much her gorgeous fresh bouquets were. "Those?", she said as she pointed. "Oh, yes!", I excitedly replied. I couldn't WAIT to give beautiful W beautiful flowers. She laughed and said, "They're SILK! I use them to let people know we make arrangements." Not having time for an arrangement, I replied, "Oh", and laughed at myself for admiring FAKE flowers for 10 months!!!!!

Only Me

Last fall I told the funny story of how a girl who sent her children to the same preschool thought I had it all together, when really I don't. I seem to have a problem with pants and undergarments!!! I went to pick up a pair of pants from the tailor today. While I was there, one of the most fit and thin women I had ever seen was trying on her clothes and of course having her SHIRTS altered b/c they were a little too big on the sides because she was so doggone tiny. I couldn't decide if maybe she works as a dancer at night, if you get my drift, so I kept staring at her. Her face looked old, but she had a rockin' body, and she proceeded to show me how firm her tooshy was too (it was also quite tan!). Needless to say, I was a bit distracted and I quickly tried on my pants and gathered my things to leave. I glanced in the mirror and thought my pants sure didn't look as cute as I thought they did in the store on Friday, but oh well, they're mine now and I better get back on that Wii Fit! As I settled back into my car, something kept stabbing me in the tummy. I looked to see if something was attacking me and realized I had my pants on backwards. Again. I have done this before!!! When I arrived at Publix, I just turned those babies around in my car. I happened to tell one of my best friends about it, and she says I am going to make a name for myself in our new town as the crazy pant lady. I guess we all have to find our way to fit in, don't we?! Hilarious!

Tuesday's Tip

My friend, B, always makes her guests feel so welcome!! When she has guests at her home, she places their towels on their bed with a beautiful ribbon wrapped around them!! It is such an easy and lovely way to make someone feel treasured and excited to be in your home. You can buy some beautiful wired ribbon at places like Sam's Club and Costco this time of year. Enjoy!

My Mama Always Said

My Mama always said it's better to use your sterling silver from your Great Grandmother Scarlett O'Hara Butler rather than to let it sit in a drawer. Mama and Papa insisted that Darling Hubby and I not register for silver plate place settings. In fact, we were forbidden to do so and told that if we did, I would not inherit my grandmother's fine sterling. Instead, they said we should use the good stuff every day and just hand wash as needed. Our sterling has been loved and used daily for the past 14 years. Mama and Papa wouldn't have it any other way, and now, neither would I!

How to show your teachers you're thankful

Teachers need to be appreciated year-round. I understand that many of us feel like all we do is help our schools. It does take a lot of time to volunteer. However, since we are the ones that hold the responsibility of educating our children, doesn't it make sense that we would spend a lot of time helping those who help us? Anyway, as Thanksgiving approaches, it's a good idea to show your children's teachers a little love.
Here are some ideas:

-Make a casserole, side dish, dessert, or homemade bread to compliment their Thanksgiving meal

-Give them a gift card to a favorite restaurant or coffee shop so they can buy themselves a little treat

-If the school allows, offer to watch the class at recess or lunch so that the teacher can have an extra break

-Tell the teacher you are so thankful for her and ask if you can help cut things, label things, etc. at night. You'll be surprised that they may accept your offer!

-Have your child (or the entire class) write a note or draw a picture about why they are thankful for their teacher

-Bring them a favorite beverage, which you know because you have their FAVORITES list from the first of school!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blogger Happy Mommy

Once upon a time there was a blogger named Happy Mommy. She blogged at Mommy Talk and More. She was so smart and she told her readers all about the best things to buy. She even led one friend, Mama Henley, to become a blogger too. It is all because of Happy Mommy that Mama Henley spends so much time blogging today!!
I have begged Happy Mommy to bring back her blog. I always glean so much from her in how she lives her life and just from her great ideas. Happy Mommy loves her children and is a great mother, especially because she is a former teacher. She really researches toys and books to find the BEST for her children. Since Happy Mommy hasn't had time yet to bring back her blog, I am going to her first post for her!! Happy Mommy introduced me to Magna Tiles. They are a MUST HAVE on your Christmas list, no matter how old your children are. Well, they will probably enjoy them more if they are 12 or younger. These tiles are so fun because you can build all kinds of 3-D figures. Children LOVE them!! My friend, ML, has them for her children too. She & Happy Mommy say you can't buy too many because children can build SUCH neat things. ML's son sat entertained for a LONG time when we all went out to eat in Dallas. He made a house and then drove his car through it like a garage door. Mama Henley's children want Magna Tiles for Christmas! Amazon tends to have good prices on them. Go visit Happy Mommy at Mommy Talk and More and beg her to come back!