weekend catch up

So I was reminded today that I never published pictures of the pumpkin carved a few post ago. Here it is:

Speaking of things that make you go boo- Mr. D. and I worked on the project this weekend for next Saturday night. I also figured out today that the wood was made of pine which I am highly allergic to. This explains why my nose was so CRAZY yesterday. Anyway here is a great pic I took showing our team work.
We worked all morning. Mr. D. ran the saw, and the drill. I was in charge of the painting. At one point I looked down and realized the wood wasn't the only thing I painted.
I will be adding new sneakers to my Christmas wish list. Oh well!

I can't show you the design yet- but I can tell you it is 8 ft tall and involves a black light. Another hint I can tell you is that one of our neighbors asked if we were trying to scare the whole neighborhood. Stay tuned. I also started working on my luminaries and hope to find a couple of cute boys next door to help me put sand in the bags one afternoon this week. Saturday night will be here before you know it. And Sunday starts the 7 days of P..L celebration!

On a side note, this was a busy weekend for my sweet Henry. His dedication was today. I am sure Meredith will be posting some pictures from their weekend so keep a check on her blog. We were sad to be unable to attend. Our love and thoughts are always with Henry, if we are physically present or not

My school's fall festival was today. Our school is famous for having every outdoor event plagues by some sort of weather trama. But today, I don't think we could have asked for more glorious weather. It was perfect. We had so many wonderful families in attendance and a good time was had by the children. Best of all- we FINALLY got to use the lollipop tree!
It was a big hit with the kids. We ended up being able to let the kids go twice. It was fun and easy breasy. I loved it. Rumor has it that the lollipop tree may be a pivotal part of the Halloween design....

he's a keeper

Yesterday in 5 minutes, Mr. D. revolutionized my life at school. He made sure we had all of the items needed for building the lollipop tree. He installed the new pegs in the storage closet- thus setting free the paper towels and Kleenex once trapped by the collapsed shelf above.
He also installed new wheels on the class printer cart.


He's a keeper!

I'm smitten

I am sharing with you all my latest find. I literally used the product, discarded it and now I am blogging about it. It was almost like one fluid motion. I have had some sort of nasal issue today. While at the store I thought I would get some tissues to have around just in case this should turn into something more. Let's all hope not! It's actually weird. I sneezed all morning as if I had come into contact with an allergen. Then my nose ran from lunch till dinner and now it is so clogged up I can't breath-- or it was until I used my new tissue. Now my stuffiness is no longer an issue. Go HERE fore more info on my Puffs. I can breathe so much better. Looks like it may be time to get the allergy medicine refilled.

another clairvoyance??

In a strange twist of fate last night we actually DID go to the Home Depot. Clark... I mean Mr. D. had been exploring the internet to create his perfect Halloween vision. What can I say- this is his absolute favorite holiday. We have a delicate balance (struggle) between cute and a Halloween version of the Griswald's Christmas house. He has been telling me of his vision for a few days now which I have given the appropriate "uh huh" and "we'll see" attention to. Well, last night- it was game time and off to the Home Depot we went.

On a side note, imagine if you will a girl in her PJ's joyfully sorting through the buttons for project (a later blog entry- stay tuned). I was catching up on Tivo when I heard "are you ready to go?" After some sighs and grumbling I respond "If I go can we get a milkshake?" He said yes and I got dressed and off we went.

We wondered through the store looking at a million things we DO NOT need like new lighting for the kitchen, hardwood floors, new carpeting, the Christmas decorations, and power tools. We also look at the millionth time at the tile for the bathroom only to come to the same conclusion we always do that none of them are "the tile". Sigh!

At the end of it all we gathered our much needed supplies and left. In the car I was looking at the receipt and realized that we had bought 13 items. Coincidence?? Clairvoyance? Who knows.
Here is what we purchased. It was more like we were at the dollar store since most of this cost either a buck or some even less.

1 through 5) We bought 5 pieces of wood. I am not sure what kind or size- but I know they are essential in the design, were cheap and took much deliberation to pick out.
6-9) three cans of 97 cent (hey- is there not a cent sign on the computer?) black spray paint
10) one can of 97 cent white spray paint
11) one can of fluorescent orange spray paint
12) one packet of shelf pegs for my classroom. (Hallelujah- our shelf fell in the supply closet trapping the paper towels and extra Kleenex. Time to liberate them!! )
13) a roll of masking tape

This Halloween will definitely be one to remember. If you would like to visit the ghosts of Halloweens past click here and here . After visiting with them I had realized there were a few things I had forgotten about- like the ambassador of Halloween. Oh boy!

On a side note, my school's fall festival is tomorrow. I am pretty excited about that. Here are a few things to cracked me up- upon visiting the ghost of Halloween past. In this post Kate and I had really just started getting to know each other. In fact I am sure I didn't even know her last name at this point. We have come such a long way in the friendship department. In this post I was in Minnesota with my sweet Donovan carving pumpkins-- feels like a million years ago. This post features two of my favorite girls and one of my favorite activities to do with each year. Ok enough with the walk down memory lane. The whole point was to bring you this.... remember when I had colored my hair this color. This was at the Fall Festival 2007.

After all was said and done- there was no milkshake. :( Oh well!

Henry says BOO!!!

Thursday 13: Thirteen things I would buy if I won a shopping spree at Home Depot

It was a beautiful afternoon here. Of course it got my I wanna work around the house juices flowing. There was no execution mind you, simply fleeting thoughts that brought to mind a super fun Thursday 13. If I were to win and all expense paid shopping spree to Home Depot, here are thing things I would purchase.

1) New House Plants! I took a little inventory and determined that every plant in my house is pretty much dead- with the exception of the one I have managed to keep alive longer than I care to remember.
2) Tile for the bathroom. I know someone just said "They still haven't decided on tile for the bathroom"
3) A super long siphon that would reach from my pond to the drainage thing next door.
4) super long gloves. The plant in the pond has over taken it and with all of the rain I am now afraid to put my hand in the pond. Or better yet- maybe something I could stick in the pond to cut the plant other than my hand.
5) 2 bags of sand. We actually will be getting these items this weekend. For 5 dollars we can fill in the cracks on the patio, and make our luminaries for Halloween.
6) Plastic sheeting so that we can put it on the outside of our screen porch and extend it's use during the colder weather.
7) A outdoor timer plug for my patio lights.
8) Any bulbs that I am supposed to plant now, but never think about and in the Spring regret not having planted them.
9) a stand hammock
10) The wood Mr. D. needs to create his Halloween vision.
11) A complete storage system for the garage
12) Shelf pegs for... NO WAIT!! A whole new storage system for my classroom. (You'll know I could make an entire list of 13 things I would buy at Home Depot for my classroom!)
13) a stockpile of things that Clark is going to need for his annual holiday lighting of our house.

So tell me-- What's on your list?

504 Pukes-a-lot Lane

Something strange is a brewin' at 504 (next door). It is some sort of stomach bug. I didn't know it was happening at the time, but Parker told me earlier in the day that he was coming home with me today- and he did. Maybe he is semi clairvoyant like I am. It was actually fairly random that he wanted to come home with me on a day when his Mother gets off at the same time I do- and then low and behold- he had to come home with me. Caleb is one sick sweetie. It's pitiful. Parker and I went to the store and got him crackers, sprite and chicken soup... and ourselves a pumpkin, a pumpkin carving kit, tattoos, you've been boo'd bags, treats, and so on and so on. Meanwhile- At 506 we came home and gutted the pumpkin so that it would be ready to go when Mr. D. got home. He LOVES a good pumpkin carving.

Here is a picture of Parker working on getting the top part off of the pumpkin.
I could tell he was NOT impressed with what was inside his beautiful pumpkin. As usual, I cleaned it out. I seem to have a history of being the only one capable of this task, but of course I don't mind at all.

Here is a funny picture that I took of him. It cracked both of us up!!
While we waited ( and waited and waited) for Mr. D. , Parker helped me with the laundry.

He also spent time convincing, no wait- trying to convince me that certain shows were OK for him to watch. He forgets who he is trying to punk sometimes!

We made dinner.
He ate the pepperoni.
... and ate pepperoni, and ate pepperoni.

Finally- I convinced him to put a little on the pizza.
The pizza beforeThe pizza after

He picked out a pattern.
He worked on the pumpkin with Mr. D.
Parker took a bath and got on his PJ's. Then we played tattoo shop-- and everyone got tattoos.
Then is was off to bed--- by 8:30. I am impressed that this was not a struggle at all! He loved it!
Hopefully, he will steer clear of the stomach bug! I had a blast with Parker! It's so fun having a kid in the house! We should totally get one!

Pictures of the finished pumpkin tomorrow!

feeling the pressure

Now that I have a new blogging friend, I am feeling the pressure to get my blog up to date again. Here are some things I haven't posted yet.....

Less tricks.... more treats..... well, maybe one trick. Parker really tricked us this night because he wasn't here to trick or treat at all.


Someone spilled something in the new van. OOOOOPPPPSSS!!!




Now one with the trick or treats....



And more (from the same night)



We have missed a lot of day of the 31 days of trick or treating due to rain, sickness, forgetfulness and not being homeness.... but when we get together we always have a good time.

giddy with excitement

So today, I was giddy with excitement to find out that someone I know is a blogger as well. I really love her whole family and look forward to getting to know them all better. I am adding her blog to my blog roll and welcoming her wholeheartedly to mine! Make yourself at home, and enjoy your stay!

a few pics from my weekend

This weekend one of my BFF's came for the weekend. Russell came from South Carolina. I swear my tummy and cheeks ache today from all of the laughing we did this weekend. I wish we all still lived in the same city- and we miss him very much! Here are some pictures of us from the Alabama/South Carolina game.

Me with my SC Gamecock face tattoo compliments of Russell.

Me with Russell
Me with Katie-bug before the game

This is Me with Mr. D. He hates being on the blog-so I replaced his face with Cocky. Just meIt was a great weekend- one of the best I have had in all of 2009. Thanks for everything Russell!!

Kate saves the day

Imagine if you will, a completely dark room filled with sleeping little angels, two fun teachers and a printer--- with a paper jam.

Rarely do I have to put a disclaimer on my blog-- but here it goes.
***DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME***

Thursday 13: Thirteen things I need to do before the big weekend

1) get the guest room ready
2) give Brady a bath
3) vacuum/sweep/mop
4) load and unload the dishwasher
5) put the patio pillows in the dryer
6) watch FlashForward... because this CAN'T wait!
7) think of something cool to put on my ESPN sign to take to the game
8) go to the grocery store
9) straighten the house
10) unpack my car from today/pack my car for tomorrow
11) have an intervention with two certain young ladies about what we do and do not need in the guest bathroom--- it looks like the Ulta in there.
12) go to work tomorrow
13) return my phone call/emails from the evening (after FlashForward of course)
13)

Pumpkin Pie

Henry Michael

good morning Sunshine!!

Rylee Grace

this weeks recipe and review

His and Her recipes!
For Him...... Chili

For Her....... Chicken and Dumplings

His review-- He said it was really good, asked me to add more hot sauce after he sampled it.
He said he would have it again-- and good, because there are plenty of left overs, and I don't eat chili.

Her review-- They were O.K. Of course, I am picky about my dumplings. I have several different dumplings I enjoy, and these were OK - like if you had never tasted my Mom's - you would probably like them. Unfortunately, I have had the best dumplings in the world and these are a far cry from those. These dumplings are made in the slow cooker- so that was a plus. You could cook the chicken while at work and add the bread when you get home and have a hearty dinner in no time.

the purrrrrrfect way I spend my days

This is most of the (29) sweet children I spend my week days with. They are so much fun!!

Finally to Friday

So this afternoon, I came home with the usual routine- except today was super windy. Because it was windy, the smoker had blown over in the back yard. I went to set it back up and noticed something odd in the yard. It looked like little seeds or maybe something growing in the yard.
Do you see it- all of the little black dot looking things.
We have had so much rain lately that there is no telling what is growing, or not growing in the yard. Here is a closer look. They are snails!! Lots and lots and lots of snails. I guess I should be glad they aren't frogs again - but GROSS!!!!!!

Also, on a fun note, this is a pic one of the kids in art class drew. Female, age 5. It really cracked me up!It's Darth Vader giving a thumbs up sign to the American Flag. I am not sure what it had to do with Romanesque Art- but still it's funny stuff. I just love kids!!

Catching up- Thursday

Thursday night was such a funny night for the trick or treaters They chose Kazoos and they were so cute with them. Parker even want to come in again for a trick of treat with the kazoo.




Caleb was soon to follow suit. TOO CUTE!!!!

Catching up Monday-Wednesday

Where did this week go?

The boys didn't come and trick or treat Monday or Tuesday night. Monday was on there end, Tuesday was on mine. We had open house on Tuesday night and I went to dinner after so I missed them. Here they are on Wednesday making up for lost time.




Here is a video of the Caleb- he doesn't say the trick of treat part- but I have never seen a child who looked cuter in a pair of overalls!

Catching up- Sunday

While I was at the grocery store on Sunday, Mr. D. surprised me with fall decor!!

this weeks recipe and review

Mr. D. asked for Chicken Nachos as the new recipe this week. I used this recipe to make homemade tortilla chips. They were very yummy! I only have one cookie sheet, so I came up with the great idea (a-hem... mistake) of covering my mini muffin pan with foil and attempting to use that as a cookie sheet to speed things up. I would not recommend trying this AT ALL!!

After I made the chips I used this recipe for the nachos. They were GREAT!! It was our dinner and we were both very happy!

It's been a rainy day here. We kept busy with housework, school work, laundry, and football.
Also, my neighbor Julie (AKA-Parker and Caleb's mom) went to the grocery store with me. We were quite a sight!! She had to buy her groceries as well as snacks for my class (Parker is in my class). She used my buggy as well as hers. I had to buy groceries for our week and a few things for school. Here is what our buggies looked like.

Here is the car... the trunkand the back seat!It took us an hour and a half to shop and between us there were 144 items.

On another note, Mr. D. and I went to the Western Carolina/Samford football game this weekend. Western is our Alma Mater. It is where we met - on the first day of school. Anyway, Here is a camera phone pic I sent to my friend showing off my new sunglasses.
It is much better today thanks to the magic of moisturizer- but OUCH!! I hate getting a sunburn, but I especially hate it when I am totally wearing sunscreen!!!