I'm coming home

Yesterday was a bummer. We received a district wide e-mail about a budget meeting that afternoon. When we arrived at the meeting we were told that our head baseball coach had been killed in a one car accident and then that some jobs would be cut for the following school year. Since the economy isn’t doing too well right now I didn’t feel like my current job had a lot of “job security.” The middle school principal approached me about two weeks ago and offered me a third grade teaching position. I told her I would get back with her. After some prayer, deep thoughts, wise counsel from others, and the budget meeting, I am coming home third grade. I will be back in the regular education classroom in August.


More bad news….

Ford is on ear infection number 4. I guess if we have one more then we will be eligible for tubes. The sitter called today and said he had 103 and she had to wake him up after 3.5 hours. The child rarely sleeps 2 hours, much less 3.5. Trey and Gran took Ford to the doctor. The little guy just doesn’t feel well. He took a nap in my arms this afternoon and then at bath time he sat there and chattered. So sad! I hate when he doesn’t feel 100%. Please pray that his ears will miraculously clear up or that we can get tubes and he can stop suffering.

Changing the subject….

Trey and I love The Bachelor. I secretly think he may love the show more than I do, but would NEVER admit that. Last night we were about to start watching it and I asked him if he wanted me to make some homemade chocolate chip cookies. He told me we didn’t “need” them. I told him of course we didn’t “need” them but I really “wanted” them. Needless to say Betty Crocker won out and I got to baking. It made quite a lot of cookies so I took some to school with me today. I was telling a teacher in the hallway that I put some in the lab and my dear, sweet, former student, Lucy, overhead the conversation and asked if I were going to post the recipe on my blog. She is a religious blog reader. So Lucy this is for you….

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

½ cup butter, softened
½ cup shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well. Combine flour, soda, salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in chocolate morsels and pecans. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Having a melt-down because the chocolate pudding was gone...


Did you know that Christmas is still coming in February??? Earlier this month Trey and I went to see The Jersey Boys compliments of Puddin and Pops and this past weekend we celebrated using yet another one of our Christmas present. Trey and I, along with another couple, spent the night at The Como Inn on Main. It’s an amazing bed and breakfast place just south of here. We went and ate supper at the Como Steak house and then walked basically next door to our swanky pad for the evening. You really need to pull the place up. We stayed in room 204. www.comoinnms.com I do recommend this joint to you!

One paci is just not enough.... He must have 3

So tonight I decided I needed a hamburger for supper. Since I am trying to collect state quarters and I never have cash I ran by the ATM on the way to Wendy’s. I got my $10.00 out and headed that way. My order was $6.62. I handed the lady $10.12. My plan was to get $3.50 back in change with the hopes that the 2 quarters would be state quarters that I didn’t have. When I handed her the $10.12 she freaked and said “It ain’t $0.12 it’s $0.62.” I told her I knew that but I wanted to get $0.50 back in change. She said “Oh.” I didn’t know I was going the throw her off so bad. And after all of her rudeness the two quarters I got had eagles on them! Ahhhhhhhh I may never get all 50.

It must be coming by snail mail

Last week we finally made it to the doctor for Ford’s 9 month check up. We were only about a week late. As mentioned earlier, I was not pleased with our pediatrician so I decided to switch to a new one. We finally found someone who would take my form of insurance, and I made Trey go with me to this appointment. As soon as we got there they said to strip Ford down to his diaper to be weighed. We did so and he weighed 19.1 pounds. Once we got back to the exam room and he hit the exam table, with the crinkly white paper, he went nuts. Neither Trey nor I could keep the little man still. He was having the best time and when the doctor came in the room he decided he would help him with his computer and stethoscope. This man was very informative and answered all of our questions and even told us some things we didn’t think to ask. We left feeling much better about everything.

On the way home I called Gran, my mom, to give her a report and she told us she was shopping. Surprised??? Of course not…not only is she the coupon queen, but she loves to shop too. We went and met her at Dillard’s where Ford had a lovely time checking out the shelves and helping the clerk bag things up.



UPSIDE-DOWN PIZZA

2 pounds ground chick
1 cup chopped onion
1 (15 oz.) con tomato sauce
1 (1 ¼ oz.) envelope spaghetti sauce mix
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (8 oz.) can refrigerated crescent rolls

Brown ground chuck and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until meat crumbles; drain and return to skillet. Stir in tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce mix; cook over low heat 10 minutes, stirring often.
Spoon beef mixture into a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish; top with sour cream, and sprinkle with cheese. Unroll crescent rolls, and place over cheese. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Looking at the snow

Our microwave stopped working 23 days ago. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to live life to the fullest without a piece of modern-day technology in your house? We called the repair man to come fix it and he had to haul her off to diagnose the problem. Seems she needs a new part and apparently they are sending it by snail mail. I have had to boil water to heat the little man’s bottles which takes longer than the microwave. You don’t know what you have til it’s gone!

We went to Jackson this past weekend for a friend’s engagement party.
My roommate from freshman and sophomore years, Jane

My roommate from sophomore year summer and senior year, Taylor


The quarter collecting is coming along nicely incase anyone was worried. I actually talked a fellow teacher friend of mine into collecting as well and she made me this handy-dandy map! My mom called and offered to give me 3 state quarters and I said that would be cheating. I must collect them on my own. Trey and I ate at BYB this past weekend and the man gave me a state I already had and an old quarter with an eagle on it. I almost asked him for a do-over, but I didn’t want to come across as pushy. You just have to take what you can get I guess.

Checking things out on the outside
Take 5 Tuesday….

5 Random Facts About Myself…

1. I pluck my eyebrows every night. Every few months I go for a good eyebrow waxing. I always ask to see the strip after they pull it off. I love to see how good they did! Weird I know.
2. Bananas make my throat itch.
3. I don’t like to wear the same outfit to the same place too often. For instance, I haven’t worn the same outfit to work yet since I started on January 4. Yes, I have worn the same pants but not a complete outfit twice.
4. I take pride in knowing my highway mile markers on I-55. For instance, if you were driving North on I-55 and said you were at mile marker 174 I would tell you that you were at Vaiden.
5. I wake up at 5:30 every week day morning and have the exact same routine everyday.

Will you collect too????

I have absolutely no problem admitting my nerdy qualities. Trey laughs at me all the time and asks me why I do the things I do etc… like singing and making up songs for Ford, telling stories in strange voices, dancing around the living room… you know all that fun stuff. Anyway, I decided that I want to try to collect all the 50 state quarters. I know some of you people are saying that is so old and you did that like 8 years ago. Well, I wasn’t on that kick then but it occurred to me on Sunday that it could be fun. I was holding 4 quarters in my hand and one was dated 1984, another 1987 and I had 2 with states on them. That is when the genius idea hit me!!! I probably only have a few in my purse but I plan to attempt to collect them all. This will be no easy task being that I use my debit card so much and never have cash. I highly recommend you trying it as well.

Playing with Daddy


SLOPPY JOE LOAF

¾ pound ground beef (I just used a pound)
½ cup chopped onion
1 (14 ½ oz.) can diced tomatoes, with garlic and onion, undrained
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs white vinegar
1 (1-pound) loaf Italian bread
1 ½ cups (6 oz.) shredded nacho-and-taco cheese blend

Brown ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring until beef crumbles; drain and return to skillet. Add tomatoes, brown sugar, and vinegar; cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes.
Slice bread in half lengthwise, place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 425 for 5 minutes or until toasted. Spread bread halves with meat mixture, and top with cheese. Bake at 425 for 12 minutes or until cheese melts and loaf is thoroughly heated. Cut each half into 3 pieces.

** Trey and I had this for lunch one Saturday and I made real fries to go with it. I didn’t use the entire loaf of bread, only about 1/3 of it. We saved some of the meat and had it again the next day. It was pretty good!!

Puddin and Pop gave Trey and I tickets to see the Jersey Boys for Christmas. We went this past Saturday night and it was fantastic. We started the day off going to my parents house to celebrate my dad’s, Boompa’s, birthday.

Eating ice cream at Boompa's party
My cousins

Mommy and me
Trey and I left that evening and went to eat at Folks Folly. It’s a delicious restaurant in Memphis. After seeing our bill I told Trey Happy Valentines Day!!! We left Folks Folly and headed down Poplar (I HATE that street) to the Orpheum!!! I didn’t grow up during the era of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons but ohhhhhhhhh was it good! I could have watched it 5 more times!

On the way to Jersey Boys

We were out yet again for snow yesterday. That would make 4 days total since being back in school from Christmas. Ford and I got geared up to tackle the cold weather and soggy snow.

Honesty Award

Honesty Award
Rules for this Award


1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.

2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.

3. Present this award to others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.

4. Tell those people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.



THANK YOU Janice(The Life of Ryleigh) FOR THE HONESTY AWARD, HERE GOES!

1. I am obsessed with washing my hands. It’s very OCD. I would wash my hands if I went outside to the mailbox. I am constantly telling Trey to wash his hands as soon as he walks in the door. He has learned to accept my annoying disorder!
2. I don’t wear brown. I don’t think it looks good on me. I could wear black pants everyday. I practically did when I was pregnant.
3. Speaking of pregnant… No, I am not but I actually liked being pregnant. I sort of felt like a celebrity. People always staring, pointing, and asking you questions.
4. My first car was a 1993 Mitsubishi Galant. We called it “Buck.” When you would shift from reverse to drive you would get a little buck/kick in your ride! Good little car.
5. I think a lot of the kids these days are lazy. It makes me nervous about our future. A lot of them need some good at home discipline (wear that bottom out) and some problems would be solved.
6. I really wish I could, sing, dance (no rhythm), draw, sew, play the piano, speaking Spanish, do creative projects, etc. I know I could actually accomplish some of these things but I haven’t gotten motivated enough yet.
7. When I was little I used to collect stamps and spoons. The stamp collection was pretty nerdy now that I think about it. I also used to read the Teen Magazines (like Bop or Tiger Beat) and submit my information to get hooked-up with pen pals. I had a lot of pen pals. I loved that kind of stuff.
8. My senior year of high school I won the “Key Boarding Award.” Not only was it terribly embarrassing winning just a cheese ball award but I don’t even type with my fingers on the right keys. The teacher obviously missed that. She must have been consumed in my speedy typing instead!
9. I brush my teeth about 3 times before I go to school in the mornings. First I do a quick brush when I wake up before I shower. After breakfast I break out the electrical tooth brush and then I end with a good regular brush cleaning. Another OCD problem I have.
10. I don’t like for people to tell me secrets in my ear. I think it tickles.

I now present this award to Lauren Miller, Kimberly Moore, and Heather Stockett! Enjoy

I just drove an hour for this....

It seems to be so hard for me to have time to blog between work, baby stuff, laundry, cooking, errands, cleaning, etc. I do love to blog though. Today I was trying to decide which is a harder job; being a stay at home mom or a working mom. They both have their pros and cons but I am really leaning towards the stay at home mom being harder. I do all that I used to do and work too, but I just remember being so exhausted at the end of the day when all we did was stay home. I appreciate the time I spend with Ford more now that I don’t get as much of it.

Cleaning out for me...
The little man turned 9 months on Monday. Ohhhhh it’s so hard to believe. Being that he is 9 months, it was time for a check-up. I, along with my mom, decided that our pediatrician was not exactly meeting our needs. She just wasn’t very informative or warm and loving. I decided to make an appointment at the place where my sister in-law takes my nieces in Germantown. Our appointment was scheduled for 2:15 on Wednesday and we arrived at 2:00 to fill out all of the lovely paperwork. Gran went in the well child waiting room with the Fordster while I checked in. The receptionist (who looked like she hated her life might I add) asked for my insurance card. I handed it over. She looked oddly and then held it out to the woman sitting next to her and she said I am sorry ma’am but we don’t accept that type of Blue Cross Blue Shield. WHAT!!!!!!!??? I just drove an hour to be told it’s a no go on seeing the doctor. I was not a happy white girl. I did not act inappropriately though, I just explained that they really should have told me that and I had driven an hour. Gran, Ford, and I left without seeing the doctor. So apparently a lot of doctors’ offices do not like my Blue Cross Blue Shield state employee health insurance coverage plan and it is making my life difficult. Trey and I are in the process of finding a new pediatrician.

TINY CREAM CHEESE BISCUITS

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup self rising flour

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed just until blended.
Spoon dough into ungreased miniature muffin pans, filling full. Bake at 400 for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

And since my sister in-law requested pictures here you go….


Trey ate the missing one

Our friends Seth and Julie came into town from Cleveland with their boys, John Everett and James last week. Ford and James are about 5 weeks apart in age so we went to play with them while they were here….

Playing in Daddy's laundry basket