Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope all of you (meaning my now apparently 2 readers... oh, I should mention... I have a tracker and I know who reads my blogs by IP address, location, whether they were linked by a search engine or via email, etc... ;) That's right... I know who my new reader is. Maybe it's creepy that I track it, but not as creepy as a stalker. Oh well... Enjoy!) had a fantabulous Thanksgiving!

We had a nice day here with Tommy and my parents. It wasn't the same as if Jeff and Becca had been here and we talked about them a lot of the day and how much we missed them, but some things just couldn't be helped in that department. Bobby made the best turkey I have ever tasted! We kept the rest of the meal rather simple, but it came out OH SO GOOD! Tommy loved "big people food" and loved having his grandparents at our house for the day.

Now to continue staying awake so that I can hit the online Black Friday sales I want to take advantage of at midnight. Last night I stayed up for the Toy's R Us sale and got a toy for each of my kids at insane prices! Tonight I'm waiting up for the WalMart online sale. Looks like it's gonna be worth it!

At Least It Wasn't Chicken Poop!

OK, so first of all... we have to go back about 7 1/2 years to the beginning of this story in order for it all to make sense...

At the time a lot of those that attend our current church were attending the Fontana PCofG. I was living in Washington State at the time and was down visiting with my then husband and baby Jeff over Summer break from school. Naturally, having a new camcorder I felt the need to record everything about my trip. If you know Crystal, then you know that she was naturally on quite a bit of the footage. Her and I felt the need to record EVERYTHING! Of course this also meant recording her after she fell walking to the car after morning service... into MUD. She did so gracefully, but then had mud all over her, and her reaction was hilarious while everyone just laughed... especially me. Kathy yelled out a valid point to Crystal, "At least it wasn't chicken poop!". I don't know why, but later that night when we watch the video from that day it cracked us up. This may not be too shocking, but I wet my pants. The combination of Crystal's face and Kathy's phrase was just hilarious. The term quickly became a daily part of conversation.

A few years later, a company released a lip balm. The name? "Chicken Poop". Kathy bought Crystal and I both a tube. Various pictures, emails, endearments have been traded between the 3 of us over these last few years. It's our "thing".

So, now to the present day. A few weeks ago at our mini ladies retreat at church Kathy, my Mom, and I were admiring these little chickens that were up for bidding in a silent auction to buy gifts for orphans. Kathy kept trying to tell me that I should want them because she wanted to buy them for someone. My Mom pointed out they would look cute in my kitchen... Kathy said I needed chickens since I blog about cooking them so much... and within a few minutes I decided "They must be mine!" and put down a bid. The next morning I was sick and unable to attend service. This last Sunday, Tommy was teething so badly that he barely slept (and barely let Bobby and I sleep) for the last 5 days. I had no idea where I stood in the bidding and figured I lost. I wasn't too bummed, but I was kind of sad and hoped to find some others later. Sunday night, my Mom calls on her way home from church to let me know KATHY BOUGHT ME THE CHICKENS! I was so excited. Bobby thought I was nuts.

Tuesday my Mom brought the chickens over and I placed them on the counter. I sent Kathy a picture text of them and she called to let me know "I was glad when they said unto me, let us put the chickens up on the counter". It was great. I was so happy and felt so privileged that Kathy did something so nice for me...

I cannot believe that with all of us involved (Crystal knew of the chicken bidding) NO ONE thought of "At least it wasn't chicken poop".

So, now, let me just say once again... Thank you Kathy for my chickens! At least they don't make chicken poop!

Am I All Talk?

Probably.

Wait, let me clear this up...

I've posted all these dumb blogs about Christmas and holiday planning without actually realizing that THANKSGIVING IS NEXT WEEK!

That makes me an idiot. I thought by mentally evaluating my holidays I was ahead of the times... when in reality I'm behind because I have yet to really begin some of the necessary planning.

To try to catch up, I'm ordering my Christmas Cards today. Hopefully this season won't be so hectic that we forget it's all really about Jesus!

Ode to Kathy

I love Kathy, yes I do.
She is so cool,
and doesn't at all smell like poo...

Random... once again...

Me: Thar she blows! (Referring to the wind while sitting on our front porch.)

Bobby: What? Your butt?

Me: The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind...

TGIF!

Wow, this week flew by! It seems as though I'm still recovering from LAST week, and here this week is over! On Sunday night I made a "To Do" list for the week. Luckily I gave myself the deadline of tomorrow afternoon since I still have about half of it left. This is going to be our first weekend of "nothing" in awhile though, and I look forward to that. Relaxing at home with Bobby and getting things done around the house. I love when he's home and we can just relax and have a conversation, watch a movie, play with Tommy, WORK ON THE HOUSE, lol. I just really hope he doesn't get stuck in insane traffic on his way home tonight, ugh.

And now I have ditched this blog to go answer the phone... It was Crystal and she wants to get together this afternoon. Maybe I'll take some pictures and blog about it later... or not... We'll see if Kathy is lucky enough.

I really don't like jerks...

I think the following letter I sent to AIS just now explains all that needs to be said. "James" is probably worried to leave work tonight with fear that I'll be sitting next to his car with a rifle yelling "You want me to PAY for your mistake? NOOOOOOO!!!! You must PAY!" Maybe I should seek anger management? Hmmm... (I wasn't that bad...) ;)

A few moments ago I called in to the billing department with a question about my bill (this is what seems like the hundredth time I've had to call your company in the last few weeks) and was dealt extremely rudely with by "James" from the moment the call began. He actually felt the need to inform me that I was calling into a call center as though I was stupid. Being that my husband runs a call center of a different type, I couldn't believe that this talk and attitude would be tolerated, especially later in the call when he basically told me that nothing could be changed about the situation even though it was no fault of my own (I was told this a few weeks ago when dealing with the situation that lead to this one...) and that I had the freedom to take my policy elsewhere. I'm very thankful to the supervisor who quickly fixed things with my situation, but am very angry with the way "James" handled things. I don't spend my money with your company to be treated as though I don't matter... I'm about to purchase another vehicle in the next few days and now I'm concerned about how things will go when I need to make changes to my policy to accommodate me. Will there be more confusion and second rate service? If it weren't for the supervisor who took care of things my current policy would already be cancelled and I'd be shopping around with the competitors at this moment. I'm very disappointed and I hope this doesn't happen again. I've complained already to enough people of the problems I had before due to Western United's mix up. I'd hate to let them know that AIS has let me down also.

Thanks,
Angela Schott

Unfortunately I had to shorten it to 1000 characters due to their comment box. Oh well... here's what I condensed it to... a little less angry but it makes the point.

Today I called in to the billing dept for what seems like the 100th time I've had to call your company in the last month with a question about my bill & was dealt rudely with by James. He actually felt the need to inform me that I was calling a call center as though I was stupid. Being that my husband runs a call center, I couldn't believe that this attitude would be tolerated. Later in the call I was told that nothing could be done about the situation, though it was no fault of my own; that I had the freedom to cancel my policy. I'm thankful to the supervisor who quickly fixed the problem. But, I don't utilize your company to be treated as though I don't matter. I'm about to buy a 2nd vehicle. I'm concerned about how things will go when I need to make changes. Will there be more confusion & second-rate service? I'm shocked & I hope this won't happen again. I've told enough people of the problems I had before due to Western United's mix up. I'd hate to say that AIS has let me down also.

I still can't get over how rude he was. I'm not one to make complaints usually, but this time it felt pretty darn good! So good, I had to blog about it so my one reader would see it! (Love you Kathy!)

Blah

I hate being in a funk. Seriously. I don't know what it is that caused this one unless it's just that I've over extended myself during the course of the last few weeks. I'm not depressed or anything, just, "blah". It takes a bit more motivation for me to do anything from answer an email to go to the store. Everything that must be done is done, but I'm just not in the mood for anything else.

I guess that's called "tired", huh?

Maybe I'll go clean the bathrooms, mop, vacuum, and try to get over it... Before I go to the store...

BLAH!

Christmas Came To Our House...

OK, not quite completely yet... but it has begun!

Yesterday after my dentist appointment I stopped by Target to get a few things. I ended up going to the one near Crystal's since it's on the way to my Mom's to pick up Tommy so she met me down there since she needed to get a few things herself.

It should have been obvious to me that this would be the beginning of my Christmas shopping when I walked in and saw the Dollar Aisle filled with Christmas items. I grabbed a few small things for Becca and some small decorations. After we looked at everything from beginning to end there, we went on to the rest of the store. We picked up a few things and made A LOT of notes of what we will buy and what we will not buy. When in the toy aisle I saw that 2 toys Bobby and I were already planning to buy Tommy were about $10 off each! Naturally, I took the bait. I'm excited about already marking things off on his Toys R Us wish list.

So, now it's time to start cracking down on this baking business. I have house work to do today since I was gone all day yesterday and will be gone all day tomorrow, but I'm hoping to at least start making batches. :Fingers Crossed:

For the first time in my adult life, I am really dissappointed in my country

HEY! Michelle Obama! I bet you're really proud, now, right?

Well, guess what... let's go over this again in 4 years. I have a feeling that smug attitude is going to be knocked down just a wee bit (though not likely much...) and you'll realize you were all in over your head when you hand our nation over to someone who knows what their doing because your husband is inexperienced and arrogant. What a mess that's going to be to clean up, ugh.

Lord, help us all... Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

Hmm...

This was sent to me in an email this morning... found it very interesting...

OK, back to distracting myself from the election and focusing on Christmas!

Just around the corner...

Jeff and Becca - Christmas 2007

Jeff and Becca - Christmas 2003

Not long now and we'll be getting out the boxes of decorations and ornaments, baking, cooking, singing, etc. etc. etc.

CHRISTMAS! YAY!

I've decided to distract myself from all the political stuff today and think about something exciting!

This year is a special one, as it's Tommy's first. I've already begun a LONG wish list for him, as the poor kid really doesn't have many toys. It's going to be so much FUN!

Jeff and Becca will likely arrive the day after Christmas as this is their year to spend with their Dad. I'm completely up in the air on what to get them this year, but either way I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they open their presents!

I have a few ideas of things to get Bobby, but I'm really uncertain. I've got ideas for stocking stuffers for sure. Hard to say. I'll likely be looking into more ideas today... If Tommy allows me the computer time.

I'm also starting to think about all the baking I'd like to get done. I've decided I'm going to start baking cookies in the next week and freeze them so that there will be less money to spend at once and less work to be done in those few final days before we celebrate the birth of JESUS! There will for sure be pies, maybe a cake, definitely some casseroles, Mmm... I love holiday food... TOO much! Just look at me!

Did I mention the gift list? Naturally, this year's is going to be shorter than usual due to the economy being what it is, but I still have a few key people I'll be buying for. Seriously, this is my favorite part!

And then there are our Christmas cards. I'm debating just doing a "Photo Card" or also including an "update letter". I know some people find these annoying, but that there are also those who might like to know what we're up to. We'll see... Such decisions. :sigh:

It's gonna be wonderful! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Whatever happens today...

God is in control.

God is in control.

God is in control.

God is in control.

God is in control.

God is in control.

God is in control.

God is in control.

Just thought I should remind myself that everything will be OK... Whew... :Deep Breath:

Ok, on with the election!

The Luckiest Girl In The WORLD!

Yes? Did you call my name? Why, naturally, that is me! I AM the luckiest girl in the world!

Why, you ask? Well... here's why...



:sigh:

I swear he's one of the best things God ever gave me. (Can't forget salvation and my children, family, and friends.) I go to bed every night and wake up every morning knowing that he loves me and would do anything to take care of and protect our children and I. We're not "perfect", but in this day and age we really do have a wonderful marriage and relationship. Very few men these days have a modern outlook with old fashioned values, and I find that very important. I don't know what I'd ever do without Bobby. He's not only my husband and lovah boy, but also my best friend. He's always there, regardless, the moment I need him. I don't know what I would do without Bobby, and I can say without a doubt I'll love him for the rest of my life. To think, I knew all this after only 3 days of knowing him. Anyone want to doubt the power of love at first sight now?

Oh, and not to mention... his sexy untouchable hotness... HELLO! ;)

Lucky, lucky, lucky, ME!!!!

Dinner tonight...

Baked lemon chicken...
White rice...
Broccoli with cheese sauce...

With that, I'm calling it a dang day. Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes.

No, I'm not at all bitter that I didn't get breakfast for dinner. Nope! Not me... really...

UPDATE: I ended up making them into "rice bowls" and they were actually REALLY good. Bobby wins... I did get breakfast for breakfast today, so that was good...

More Chicken! YAY!

As mentioned before, I said I'd be blogging about Cheesy Chicken & Noodles... well here it is!

Last Wednesday Crystal and Kaitlyn came over and spent the afternoon with Tommy and I. They ended up staying for dinner with Bobby, Tommy, and I. As before planned, I served the above mentioned meal. Crystal seemed to really enjoy it and took some home to Kevin who she claims really liked it. Whether they were lying or not, I'm unsure... either way, here is the recipe. (Note that for the veggies I use Broccoli.)

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/cheesy-chicken-and-noodles/

Tonight we may end up with a grilled or baked chicken salad. Use your imagination for that recipe, OK? ;) (I'm a jerk... if you didn't know this by now then hurry up and get over it...)