New Background

This is the second background from Shabby Blogs. The design is called Rozlyn's Roses.

Cool Websites

I came across two websites that provide free backgrounds for blogs. I have decided to use several designs to show off some of the very cute backgrounds they have. The first is a design from Shabby Blogs called Orange Blossom. Every time I add a new background I will add a post to share the site and the design name.

The second website is called Hot Bliggity Blog . I have several favorite on this site, but they do not have names. The vintage, shabby chic looks are very much my style. Thought I would share these with all of you. Hope that you enjoy!

Enjoyable Day

Today I have had lots of fun. This morning I went with my mother-in-law (and the kids) to Sweetwater to go shopping at the Sock Shop. It was so much fun looking at all the different socks and loading up on them, too! I got some more of the Worlds Softest Spa Socks and I am loving them! We went over to Hunter's Bakery and Cafe for a good lunch then walked to a couple of the Antique stores nearby. This evening Joe and I went to an Ice Bears hockey game. They lost, but we did have fun. Now I sit relaxing in my new spa socks (pictured here). Ahhhh. How nice!!

Kalencom Diaper Bag

My cousin had a link to show a diaper bag that she is wanting from Kalencom. After looking at it I liked it as well. It has straps that help it attach to your stroller as well as a few other nice accessories. I like two of the designs best. Ozz Quilted Morocco Orange and Ozz Printed Nylon Flower Power Blue. A site called The Bragging Mommy has a review and giveaway on their site. I encourage you to have a look if you are interested in diaper bags or other products for children.

Bad Beginnings

This year started on a bad note for most of our family. It all started on New Year's Eve. Butch started getting sick. Then in the wee hours of the morning I got sick. It was terrible. We were both so weak from the stomach bug that we just slept for the next two days. We were almost on the point of dehydration. Joe, bless his heart got it a couple days later. Luckily Otter and Bubba did not get it! Then as soon as that passed and I started getting my energy back I got sinus stuff. Ugghhhh!!!!!! Now there have also been other things to add some stress (plumbing issues, heat went out, more plumbing issues, and a root canal). This has been a rough two weeks. I am hoping that the rest of the year proves to be a lot calmer and less stressful!

Humor

So we now are the owners of a WII. It was an awesome gift and we are all very excited about it. Today I forced the boys off so I could race on Mario Cart. (I have my own license so I am having to beat the grand prix on my own to get all the new levels, characters, etc.) So I am in the middle of one race when Butch forgets that he doesn't have a controller in his hand and jerks his hands up as if to jump with me. He instead jerked the glass of orange juice that was in his hands and it was very full of orange juice! Said orange juice goes flying out of the cup and lands all around (and on) him! That was so funny! Should they put a warning about that too? "For those who may be watching a race, please put down all items in your hands so that you might not fling them while race is in progress."

Christmas Time

Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Do I have all my shopping done? No! I am looking forward to the first day of family gatherings tomorrow, though. I love getting together with family (and friends, too)! I enjoy buying gifts for them and seeing their reactions. This year is really exciting because Otter is starting to pick up on more than just presents.

We have a Nativity set and she points out Joseph and Mary, but ours is missing the baby Jesus. He only comes out after they go to bed on Christmas Eve. It is something that was a tradition in Joe's family and we have carried it over into our family. The boys know that when Momma puts out the scene He will be missing until Christmas morning. Now Otter is learning about this tradition. I love it when they start understanding more of what we are really celebrating! The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!


This is a beautiful set that I saw last week at our local five-and-dime store down the street. The artist is Jim Shore.

Sales

Since Butch's school did not reach their $ goal with coupon books they have two additional sales going on now. One is cookie dough, which we do not have a form yet so I have no info right now. The second is reusable bags. These are really nice looking polypropylene bags from the Mixed Bag Designs company. If you go to the link provided you can see the bags. There are four sizes. Prices are listed (the department store bags is listed as $10 on our forms, though) on the site. I have a Green Mountain Coffee bag that is about the same size as the department bag and I love it! It is also made out of the polypropylene. If you would like to help raise money to help the school please let me know! This will only go through next Tuesday, so hurry!!

Dust Off The Dancing Shoes!

This is the slogan used by the Chattanooga Choo Choo to promote an event that will be held on May 29, 2010. It is the Glenn Miller Orchestra special event. It is a package for two nights that included an evening of dancing to the beautiful sounds of songs like "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", etc. This is an event that would be so much fun to attend! Now if I could only dance like Ginger Rogers or Ann Miller!

Funny Quotes part two

As we were sitting around the dinner table today we were joking about all the hair that is found around Grandmomma's house. We were talking about the possibility of using hair nets, but deduced the main cause for the hairs was the animals. That was when Butch said that the cats should live in hair nets! We all found the thought of the cats in full body "hair nets" very amusing! Wish I could find a picture of that!

Dating 101

If you are in a dating situation here is some advice. After you ask about their relationship with Jesus the next question should be "Are you a Vols fan?" If the answer is no shake their hand, tell them it was nice to meet them and WALK AWAY!!

Funny Quotes

This evening our son just made us laugh so hard! Here is the jest...

Butch: Dad, can you help me with this?
Joe: Yes, but can I get you to do me a favor?
Butch: No, I will not pick your nose or massage your feet!!

Homecoming

This week is an event that I love to see come every year. The Museum of Appalachia is having their Homecoming celebrations this week. With so much going on there I cannot list it all here, but here are a few things you will find:

Cloggers
Singers and musicians
Blacksmiths
Country Crafters
Tatting
Wood workers
Sorghum makers
Homemade soap and lotion makers
Basket weavers
and a whole lot more!

Bubba found someone to play
checkers with a few years ago

Hubby's Reunion

Well, Joe had a gathering of people who graduated from his school in the 90's. It was a big event that was created to be family friendly. I was finally able to see some of the people that he has been telling me about for years. It was an enjoyable evening and I was happy to see some of the people that I already knew, but have not seen in the last couple of years.

Well I thought I would try out the SMS here on blogger. Not sure how much I will use it, but I now have the capability!

Worst Dressed

Personally I enjoy looking at the red carpet pics to see how my opinions and those of whoever these "judges" are that grade them match up. I saw several that I strongly disagreed with and some I completely agreed with. One dress that fell into the latter category was the dress that Victoria Rowell wore. I could see nothing that would make me like this even if it was not Obama. Even a similar dress with Ronald Reagan would still be an 'F' on my grading scale!

Interesting Sideshow

On the PBS tv show, History Detectives, there was an extremely interesting story that I wanted to share. In 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair there was an exhibit called Baby Incubators with living babies. For the two years of the fair the exhibit was used to show the incubators and how they helped the babies survive. It is an extremely interesting show that helps a woman in her quest to learn if she was truely one of the babies on exhibit during this time. Here is a link to watch the episode.

PBS History Detectives Season 7, Episode 4

Holiday

Friday we were blessed by the holiday that Joe had from work and for my Mom who watched our little Otter so we could have some time together. After getting the guys off to school we got the bicycles out. After dusting them off, cleaning the chains and checking the tires we headed off to enjoy the day. We drove to Maryville to ride the greenway out there. Before we left home I looked and estimated the mileage as around 8 miles round trip. We had planned to start in Downtown Maryville, but we ended up starting at the City of Alcoa Municipal Building riding to the Greenbelt Park continuing to Sandy Springs and Pearson Springs Parks. We actually passed Pearson Springs and continued on up to Maryville Intermediate School before turning back. When we finished we came back to eat at my favorite restaurant Puléo's Grille. It was a great day! I told Joe, "Today is brought to you by the letter B and the number 2! Bikes, bottle of water, biking braids, beautiful weather, and my best bud!"

Another Emma

In early 2010 Masterpiece Theatre Classic will be airing the new adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma here in the USA. Here is a press release about the new movie from the BBC site:

Emma is a fresh and witty serial adaptation of Jane Austen's comic masterpiece by award-winning writer Sandy Welch (Jane Eyre, North And South, Our Mutual Friend).

Romola Garai (Atonement, Vanity Fair), plays the "handsome, clever and rich" Emma Woodhouse, a young woman who dominates her small provincial world of Highbury. Misguidedly believing that she is a skilled matchmaker, Emma repeatedly attempts to pair up her friends and acquaintances, often with regrettable consequences.

The cast includes Jonny Lee Miller (Endgame, Melinda And Melinda), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Cranford), Tamsin Greig (The Diary Of Anne Frank, Green Wing), Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet) and Jodhi May (Einstein And Eddington, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard).

A Bafta-winning writer, Sandy Welch unfolds Austen's compassionate and humorous story of self-deceit and self-discovery in four hour-long episodes, providing a rich insight into one of the author's most complex characters.

Here is a YouTube Video that is somewhat of a trailer. So far it is all I can find.

Back To School

Once again it is time for school. The guys are somewhat happy with returning, but me... I'm ecstatic! Well, that is rather exaggerated, though I do enjoy the one-on-one time with Otter! I was very pleased when Butch came home this week and told me he had made it into advanced math! They gave a test and based off their scores placed the kids in the appropriate math class. I was hoping that he would get in since it will help lead into advanced math in middle school as well. He was very proud, too! It was great to see him so excited and working hard. Bubba is also in advanced math (now that we have his schedule fixed). Band has started for him, too. Once again the clarinet will be heard in our neighborhood! I am just praying that we are all up to the challenges ahead this year.