Another year comes to an end!

The Buettner-Boyds want to wish everyone the best in the new year. We opted to make no resolutions, but instead to "pledge" to be better people.

Catarina wants to do more with her church and build positive relationships with family and friends.

Claudia would like to take gymnastics and learn how to do more and better flips.

I want to focus on my job of educating children in math and (finally) taking that big leap and pursuing med school.

Mr. Chad wants to become debt-free and build a bomber race car, while easing his way to a Bachelor's degree in engineering.

...and we all truly want the best for you.
Thanks for reading this year. I hope I get even better at this next year.
God Bless!
CBB

The Beatles and my children.

I have always tried to teach my kids that music is the soundtrack to our lives.

When we are sad, we hear sad songs in our mind. When we are happy, we hear happy songs.

When we party we like party songs...you get my point, right?

Music defines who we are.

I am so proud they have learned "my so-called lessons"...LOL.
Over the holidays, though, they taught me a lesson.

I support my children and their needs to find their "own" style of music.

I have said that many times before;

listening to Miley, Selena, or anything Disney is OK when countered with say, some CCR, the Stones, and of course The Beatles.

I keep The Beatles #1 in my SUV.

(You never know when you won't be able to find a local station, or a place on the dial for XM, or you just need to feel good while driving.)

This holiday season, however, it wasn't a fall-back-on CD.

It was the IT CD.

Well, some of it was...LOL.

Anything from 19 on.

The girls picked out the parts they would sing, who would do the background vocals, who played what instrument.

It was WONDERFUL!

Everyday, I had the chance to listen to Hey Jude, Lady Madonna, Let it Be...

and not once did I force anyone to listen to it.

We had our own concerts every time we got in the vehicle!

It was awesome mom/daughters moment 1,343!

Now, even though, I won't see them for a few weeks...

John, Ringo, Paul, and George (the order they appear on Abbey Road)

can help me make it !

CBB

Thanks AEP...you suck!

7 days no electricity!

On Friday, December the 18th at roughly 6:45 pm, our electric went off...on December 25th at roughly, believe it or not, about 6:45 pm it came back on. We were not even there to witness it and please don't try to console me by saying, "awwww, a Christmas miracle".

I would like to sit here an rant about the inconvenience of it all, but I try to keep this blog positive.

I will say this, contrary to all of the hoopla, my hubs managed to save the day. He kept us warm, took one for the team (sleeping on a concrete floor), and put us in a "swanky lodge"/guest house for the holidays...well, he can thank his employer for that...LOL.

God is good, but AEP still sucks!
CBB

...and I thought I was a GREAT teacher!?

small post today:

For the past 12 weeks I have taught my little heart out. I have given 100% and thought that my kids were"getting it", but then I create a test based on state standards with an open response and they go to pieces.

I administered the GMADE earlier this week too, and am just amazed at how accurate it was. My kids did WONDERFUL on operations, but scores showed they could not apply it. For example, if I gave them an actual numeric problem they could solve it, but if I put it into a "word" problem and they had to decipher what needed to be done...very few could do that.

I am going to spend the Christmas break trying to find a way to show them that in the real world life is not all 2+2, but more like if Dorothy has 2 cupcakes and Elfie has 2 cupcakes, how many cupcakes do they have?

I need to go cry...then regroup.

{{{{Keep saying it, Christy...you are a great teacher! You are a great teacher! Your are a great teacher! You are a great teacher!}}}}

Mrs.B

Life after You by Daughtry

I have to believe that if Mr. Chad became a famous rock star that he would still never waiver from his love for me or to our marriage. It's one of the reasons I love Chris Daughtry and his band.

Chris never forgets to mention or thank his wife and does it in such a genuine way. So after hearing their new song (one that he wrote or at least co-wrote with Chad Kroeger of Nickelback), and REALLY listening to the words, I have come to realize that it could be the "greatest" love song ever written.

I am posting the lyrics below. We all know how I love music and that if the lyrics don't make an impression on me...well, then it is probably not worth MY time. This song, however, is worth any person's time that knows that love has it's ups and downs, but knowing love is worth the ride.

Ten miles from town and I just broke down
Spittin' out smoke on the side of the road
I'm out here alone just tryin' to get home
To tell you I was wrong but you already know
Believe me I won't stop at nothin'
To see you so I've started runnin'

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you

Last time we talked, the night that I walked
Burns like an iron in the back of my mind
I must've been high to say you and I
Weren't meant to be and just wasting my time
Oh, why did I ever doubt you?
You know I would die here without you

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you

You and I, right or wrong, there's no other one
After this time I spent alone
It's hard to believe that a man with sight could be so blind
Thinkin' 'bout the better times, must've been outta my mind
So I'm runnin' back to tell you

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
Without you God knows what I'd do

All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you

Aren't those like the greatest "love" lyrics ever? I just love listening to this song. The whole album is pretty awesome, but this song definitely ranks up there as one of the best of 2009. Thanks, Daughtry.



CBB

Sister Weekend 2009

To all who could not join us, we look forward to seeing you next year...at my house.

Merry Christmas from the HALL sisters.

Quilting with the Family

This week has been crazy trying to finish the quilt square that we are now "required" to do for Sister Weekend. I love this idea, but I think I am in a small minority. However, watching (and listening) to my cousins go on and on is priceless.

It has been a great adventure for Verlissa, Auntie Em, and I as we sit around her table quilting...trying, anyway. Auntie Em can do her style of quilting, embroidering squares or painting, very well. V and I...not so much.

We have great ideas, but the the manifestation part, well...we are having some problems with that...LOL. I figure, our quilt squares may not be the best in the world--or technically, the best they could be, but I know, they will get better over time...just like our family.

CBB

O Christmas Three

The trees have started going up! I am finally getting excited about Christmas. I dread it at the same time, too. It seems that from Thanksgiving on...time is in warp drive speed. It is the time that I get most with my girls though, other than summer, and that I like, but I do find it hard trying to fit in all the people and places that we have to visit...or try anyway.

I have 4 or 5 trees; my BIG tree, my pre-lit trees, the girls' tree, and a lil' ol' generic tree, but this year, I am not putting them all up. I am doing 2 trees only. In fact, I have already given away one of the trees for a friend's classroom. One, got the boot...well, the trash can. Another never came out of storage, and well, that leaves 2.

The BIG tree is getting an overhaul this year. The hubs wants a blue tree. I have caved, b/c I have never liked blue decorated trees, but it will not be a UK tree THAT I can promise you...LOL.

Today, I posted a few ornament pics from our red, black, green, white tree. (Yes, it started out as an Earnhardt tree, but has kinda moved into a "family" theme tree. It is a beautiful tree, but I think next year, the tree itself has got to get bigger.)

Here's to the holiday season. Remember to make it your best Christmas ever!

Mrs. B

New Moon

OK, so my girls suckered me into going to see this movie. I have to admit, too, not having read the book (or any from the Twilight series) it was not that bad. In fact, it was a great love story and had very little, in fact none that I can remember, making out scenes. I do now feel an obligation to read the series, but I can't seem to get started...LOL.

However, spending the evening with my babies, watching a girlie flick, was the best date I've had in a long, long, time...the company was priceless.

...and for those of you wondering...

I'm Team Edward...the girls--Team Jacob.

CBB

Happy Birthday to you Ella-Bella!

Today, my daughters' little sister turns 2. She is such a sweetheart and I love her so much. I love watching my children play with and tend to her. It is a beautiful, heartfelt moment when it occurs.

When I get to see her, she hugs and kisses on me. I love the idea that God has given my ex and his wife such a blessing and that we all get along enough that this situation exist. This week, though, was really special to me.

Most nights when I call the girls, they don't answer. Ella does. I mean, someone else may answer, BUT Ella does, too....LOL. This week, she had the phone while I was talking to Claudia, and said, "Kisty, i yuv you". I, almost, cried. It was such a sweet moment for me because I love her, as well. I love the joy, happiness, and memories that she will bring to MY girls.

So today...Happy Birthday, Ella. You are LOVED!
Mrs. B

Happy Birthday, Ms. Adkins!

Great friend.

Loving mother.

Kind soul.

...that's you.

CBB

I love showers and parties.

Spent the last few days planning my baby brother and S-I-L's baby shower for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I am frustrated to say the least. I can't do a lot due to school right now and their schedule is even tighter than mine. However, the invites turned out quite cute. I will try to post them later along with pics of the "preggers" couple.

Where did that week go?

I really have nothing to write about. This week went by so fast...I'm still spinning. I had Open House at school. (I always LOVE that...meeting the parents.)

I have been working on the house for hell and ever- it will never look the way I want it to...like it came from a Pottery Barn catalog...LOL.

Mr. Chad and I have been lazy and I have missed the girls like crazy. I have quit counting the days and am now counting the minutes 'til they get here. :o)

Tried making a Christmas gift list, but can rarely get into the holiday spirit until after Thanksgiving. Truly, being thankful and counting my blessings is far better than a new sweater. Right?

I hope your week was slower/better and that you got to stop and smell the roses. Mrs.B

Those weren't angels singing...that was you, Neil Young!

Wow. Until this moment, I never realized how much my husband looked like a young Neil Young...LOL. That aside.

Short story. My husband went to church with me today. It is the first time he has ever attended a service, that I know of, that didn't have someone in a box at the front of the room surrounded by flowers.

We went with our friends, Mary and Joseph. (If you read this blog, you know I am not kidding about their names.) I have been going to "their" church every time I get the chance. I love it there. I prayed my husband would, too. I mean, I prayed that he would "get the message" and enjoy the "style of worship".

We go in and take a seat, my best friend in the whole wide world joins us (Hey C2, I love u!), and the music starts and my heart jumps up into my throat. Is that Neil Young they are playing? IT IS! They are starting service with Keep on Rockin' in the Free World. Are you kidding me? It was like a message from Jesus, saying, "Am I good or what?"

...and Lord, I must say...YOU ARE GOOD!

The service was wonderful. It was about appreciating what God has blessed you with. Are your needs met? Not your wants...YOUR needs. Sitting there, thinking back, I have been blessed my whole life. I can never remember going hungry, or not having a place to call home, or not being surrounded by those I love. I was truly washed over with happiness and the true spirit of the Lord. I hoped my husband felt that way, too.

After service, we all ate at good ol' Bob Evan's and as I sat there and thought (minus the girls not being there with us) this is how a perfect day goes. I wish Every Sunday was just like this.

Thanks for the blessing, Lord...both inside the church and out!

CBB

iLife '09

I have spent 2 days of my life, which I can not get back, learning a program that I can not use...THIS is Professional Development? I teach school and 24 hours of a scholastic year is set up to help us "develop" our teaching skills and strategies...and I used 12 on this!

However, I did walk away wanting a MAC more than ever. I think it would be a great tool in the classroom and I think the kids would love it, too!

Problem is, very few-- if any, of our student population has a MAC at home.

So what do we "develop" that?

Mrs. B

Day of the Dead

I do not know much of this holiday, but I like it. I love the artwork associated with it for some reason. According to Wiki:

The ''Day of the Dead'' (El Día de los Muertos or All Souls' Day) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st, and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

I think that is a great way to remember those that have gone on before us...celebrating our lives and reflecting on how they touched us or influenced us. A day like "Memorial Day" just not as somber. I hope when I do passover to the other side, I am remembered joyfully.

Mrs. B

Happy Halloween

We did nothing...but build the 1st part of our deck! Man, was that fun...LOL.

OK, OK...I just watched.

:o)

What have you done today...

...to make you feel proud? I love that song. I know it's the theme to The Biggest Loser, and maybe Oprah used it one season. No matter. The words are moving and thought provoking. Everyone should take them to heart and just ask themselves...WHAT have you done today to make you feel proud?

For me, I'm more of the write a note or send a card to someone to let them know I'm thinking about them, the hubs is more of a rake someone's leaves if they aren't capable of doing it kind of person.

You? What type of person are you? Do you leave a nice comment on a Facebook picture? Call up an ol' teacher and say, "Thanks, you made me a better student."? Think about it for just one minute...how easy it is to make a difference in the world. I always like to think of the recycling motto...think globally(you could pray)...act locally(you can do). So go forth...See...Be...Do! Make yourself proud...and maybe even your Mama, too.

Mrs. B

Winter Blues

It's October and I already have the winter blues? I will shrivel up and die by the time January gets here. I NEED more sun. Where are you Indian Summer?

If most of you are like me, the winter makes my body and brain creep back into certain lifestyle choices that I do not wish to encounter this year. I watch more TV. Do less Exercise. I bake more. Therefore, I eat more. I make plans for so many holiday functions that most do not get finished. I am NOT a winter girl!

This year, I am going to try to make different choices, but when it's rainy, cold, and sunless outside I can't help but feel the need to crawl back into bed, pull the covers up and watch TV...or read...or sleep. Are you that way?

Regardless, I am not taking "any" flu shots this year. I am just going to load up on the vitamin C and continue to use my elliptical and see where that leads me...and what I really want to know is...Are you gonna go my way?...LOL.

Take care, keep warm and keep moving.

Mrs. B

Where The Wild Things Are

Thank you Maurice Sendak! Thank you Spike Jonze!
Thank you Mr. Chad! Thank you Catarina and Claudia!

I have never fallen so much more in love with a book then now.

Sendak created the perfect children's story.

Jonze, the perfect movie interp.

Mr. Chad did his part by taking me and letting me talk about when the girls were little and how I read it to both of them and how it meant different things to both...

and my girls for always being my little "wild things".

Ahhh, how nice just to be so happy all over!

Mrs. B

Sweater Vest

Why won't my hubs let me get him a sweater vest? I think he would look so trendy and modern. (I can't say handsome because I think he is handsome all the time.) He has slowly been making his own changes, and people are noticing...LOL. I can not take credit for it, though. He just comes up with something...and says it...and then it just is.

A few weeks ago it was more button-ups, last week it was a belt, he gladly agreed to a 6 inch haircut, now he wants some "smart" glasses. I better stick to this diet or some young 20-something will steal him from me. :o(

Anyway, the one thing that I have asked him to get is a sweater vest and he will have no part of it. I just think that's beyond funny, but then again I am talking about MY husband...so nothing is "beyond" anything.

CBB

Halfway from JBS...and Hello Jaron!

Many years ago, in a school far away, I was a schoolmate with David Tolliver (Halfway to Hazard). No, we didn't hang out at the Hunger Den together, but we were friends. In fact, he was friends with everyone in our school. We were all friends, because it was like family there...all 200 K-12.

David didn't stand out much. In fact, he blended quite well, but he had a super personality. He was the guy that didn't just hold the door open for the girls, he would hold it open for everyone! Even back then, he was destined for greatness...and he is on his way. Far from the show choir days, or pageant stages, Dave is off and running with his band Halfway to Hazard. I know him well enough, also, to predict that if dedication and hard work equals success...move over Brooks and Dunn and Montgomery Gentry.

Recently, I got to see Dave perform live. I loved the music, but was washed over with such happiness of his success that the concert could have been in the Superdome instead of the top of a mountain...the results would have been the same. I believe that whether he performs for 10,000 hometowners or 70,000 screaming Southerners the result would be the same. 100% all the time. But enough blowin' sunshine up Dave's booty. :o)

My blog is about me...LOL....and this is...the rest of the story.

Not so many years ago, but back when I was a tad bit cooler, I was totally into a lil' duo called Evan and Jaron. They had a nice top 40 song called "Crazy for this Girl"...I always pretended they were singing to me, but I would right?...because I was that cool..LOL. Anyway, they kind of just lingered around, good jewish boys as they are... probably were working on a master's degree in music or something as they pursued their coffee-house dream. :o)

A few years ago, they worked with USA Network (characters welcome...and boy, am I that...HA!) hosting this road trip segment which was pretty neat, but they really weren't on my list of "stars I want to meet". In fact, they were more on the opposite list that I have crafted, "stars I DO NOT want to meet b/c if I do and they are mean or d-bags, I will be broken" list. However, as fate would have it...Jaron dropped into the mountains with Dave as an opening act.

OMG! Oy Vey!

There he was and for like 3 1/2 minutes...I was happy out of my gourd!

Would you look at her

She looks at me

She's got me thinking about her constantly

But she don't know how I feel

And as she carries on without a doubt

I wonder if she's figured out

I'm crazy for this girl

Yeah, I'm crazy for this girl

All was right with the world...there on top of that mountain...and when I thought it couldn't get better...and before I could say tchatchke...my brother was turning out some BEP's, "I got a Feelin". Maybe he sang it as an inside joke, as he shouted mazel tov laughter feeled his soul knowing 98.9% of the people there had no idea what that meant, but Jaron, my friend...I did.

So, thank you for the song soooo many years ago and thank you for not being a d-bag in the present. I can only wish you success now, my brother. Shalom.

Mrs. B

Think Pink

It is October and all women are geared to "think pink". I am for many reasons. I have 2 Aunts that are SURVIVORS. Both have remained in great condition over the years, but I am sure breast cancer is never far from their minds.

This is a time for those of us not afflicted to be affected to be pro-active and encourage EVERY woman we know and love to get a breast exam. Tell them to start by doing a self-exam at home and to follow it up with a visit to their doctor.

Mammograms are encouraged for women. According to the American Cancer Society's website:

Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional, at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.

Breast self exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away.

Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.

Tell someone you love today or if you want, send them here and I will tell them. Fly that Pink Ribbon high and Save 2nd Base.

Mrs. B

We bought a fish tank and the Osbournes!

Mr. Chad and his family are soooo "pet people", me not so much. Don't get me wrong I love , I mean like most pets, but I still have some fear and reservations of them. Cats are cute, but can get all creepy on you. You know, circling and purring like they are calling others cats to come do the same. Dogs, well, dogs are man's best friend and all I can figure is they know I'm not a man. I got bit when I was 16 and it takes me a while to warm up to them these days. Now, with all that explained, I can tell you about our new pets...The Osbournes.

Yes...Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack. All goldfish, but 2 are black and 2 are gold. We bought four because of the four of us, but didn't want to name them after us because of the whole "goldfish turnover rate"...LOL.

When we brought it all home, the hubs went to putting it all together. It was not a 5 minute ordeal either. It took both us a couple of hours...filling tank, putting in all the "crap" they need, balancing the water, etc...just to set it up. We had fun doing it, but now I can't wait for the kiddos to see it. Countdown for that ...is on!

CBB

Spoonerisms

I would love to go on and on about my love for forks and spoons, really, I would. I love how shiny they are and when put side-by-side they look like the perfect couple. Growing up, I pictured them as my "mom and dad". Dad, the fork, stood above the little spoon protecting it and he fed me the hearty stuff to make me smart, tough, and strong like meats and veggies. Spoon was my Mom that filled me up with comfort and protection--ice cream, mac n' cheese, and soup.

That's not today's topic though. Today's topic is brought to you by Alex Trebek and his smarminess that is thrown around all over that game show stage he takes so eagerly every night at 7:30 pm. Spoonerisms.

I have certification to teach middle school Language Arts so I am quite aware of spoonerisms, but come on Alex don't stand there and grimace when no one knows the answer of who the frig the subject gets it's name for...technically, I think Sylvester the Cat suffered from this affliction, but I am suppose to know about Rev. William Archibald Spooner and his inability to speak and his common "syllable mix-up" of words.

According to my friends over at wiki, Rev. Spooner is really only associated with one true "syllable mix-up", the rest may have been made up by coworkers and students as a pastime. Ah, but does it matter. To be honest, I just like the word spoonerism. It's almost as fun as onomatopoeia...but I'll save that lesson for another day.

Mrs. B

Go Big Blue

The hubs is a great UK sports fan.
He loves it all. (Well, I probably couldn't get him to sit and watch the National Cheerleading competition, but he would watch the UK cheerleaders do their routine...LOL.) Yet, he has never been to a game.

Problem solved. This year, for some reason, he has been given multiple sets of game tickets. I mean, we literally have to clear our schedule for several weekends in October and November. All because he's nice. Yep, nice. When people need help, and as long as he can do whatever they may need, he does. Isn't that sweet?

I am excited for him like I would be for one of the girls to see Wicked (...and I'm trying to make that happen in New Orleans--April of next year.) Anyway, I'm not just excited for him. I'm excited for us because we get to share it together and I love being married to my best friend--one of the biggest UK fans I know.

Mrs B

My daughter wants to be a...hoaggie????

Quick, funny story.

On FB today, I saw that my daughter wanted to be a hoaggie...

I wasn't sure where she was going with the status update,

so I had to read all comments.

(She has mentioned several times about attending VaTech.)

After laughing for a bit, I responded, "You mean a Hoakie?"

She tried to defend her post, but it was too late.

She said that she had googled it...

I told her just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's correct.

Also, with her intelligence and interest in attending,

she should have known what a HOAKIE was...

A turkey not a sandwich, which she then probably thought...or is it...LOL.

I love my daughter, she so has her mother's sense of humor.

Mrs. B
(Yes, I know the sandwich is actually spelled hoagie.)

I need a terrible towel!

Someone share the love.
How the heck do you get tickets to a Steelers games without selling your organs?
I have been trying all day to get my hubs tickets for a home game(birthday present)...
the closest I got was a $99 "tailgating" ticket...$99...to tailgate!!!!
I guess, unless you are season ticket holder,
these tickets are only available in one place...YOUR DREAMS.

Sorry, honey. I'll try again next year!
CBB

One room leads to another...yeah, yeah, yeah...

Well, today's post has nothing to do with the song by the FIXX that I loved so many years ago, but has to do with how hard it is to do home renovations/make-overs. I thought I was going to be working on my scrapbook room and that I could get it done in 48 hours (like Trading Spaces) how wrong I was...uuhhh!

First, everything has to come out...everything. Then drywall must be completed...and for lack of better words be a "dry wall" before painting can commence. Here's the kicker though, 24 hours between coats of drywall gook. (72 hours for 3 coats) Next paint can go on--one coat of primer, then the room color. Everyone knows when you're painting, too, you have to cart the room's contents all over the rest of the house. After that, all trim work: windows, doors, crown and baseboards. I can not believe I thought this could be accomplished in 48 hours. Damn you, Doug Wilson! (...but I still love you.)

Mrs.B

This is my anthem...

My Hallelujah Song/Julianne Hough

Look at me, can't believe

I finally made it here

Feeling like I'm where I belong

Singing my hallelujah song

Hard to find,

took some time

But I think that I might be hittin'

On what's been missing all along

Singing my hallelujah song

It's a highway sliding through a Sunday afternoon

It's a snapshot smiling like we ain't got nothing to lose

It's the peace in knowing that love is gonna be gone someday

But you only get more when you give it away

Yeah, yeah, yeah

It's a sweet prayer knowing someones up there hearing you. Define punch lines take a little time, but i'm getting it. Life is more than just how many breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away. Baby take my breath away.

Look at me, can't believe

I finally made it here

Feeling like I'm where I belong

Singing my hallelujah song

Hard to find, took some time

But I never was by myself

There were angels helping all along

Singing my hallelujah song

My hallelujah

My hallelujah

Singing my hallelujah song

Most songs I like are defined by what they say... and this is where I am in my life. I love this song and can listen to it over and over again. We all can. It can represent spiritual growth, your love life, your family, or just believing in yourself. If you haven't heard it, go find it, and take a good listen...you'll see what I'm talking about!

CBB

Law and Order...

"In New York City's war on crime, the worst criminal offenders are pursued by the detectives of the Major Case Squad. These are their stories."



........BAUM BAUM...........

I bet you have no idea who Steven Zirnkilton is, but I , also, bet you have heard his voice many times. Steven is an actor who gave voice to all opening themes from the four series of the Law & Order franchise. (...and that's your fun, little Google fact for the day.)

With the hubs out of town for a race this weekend, I plan on hearing Steven's voice a lot! I like to think that I have seen more than 75% of all L&O episodes, but it seems every time my DVR catches one on Sleuth...it's one I've never seen. I love me some Jack McCoy, but I am in love with Detective Robert Goren...Bobby from Criminal Intent. I know it's only acting, but I love his character. How awful, in my beautiful L&O mind, it would be to meet the guy who plays him, Vincent D' Onofrio, and him be...well, you know...average!

I guess it's a good thing that I will probably never meet him...LOL. Gotta go. DVR is calling!

............BAUM BAUM.............

CBB :o)

Crossroads Christian Church

I went to a church in Lexington this weekend and LOVED it.
It' s called Crossroads Christian Church.
It was simple and spiritual. I walked away with God's message, but not scared of burning in a fiery hell...full of hope.
I wanted to come home and read the Bible AND share the message with my husband...with anyone that would listen really...LOL.

I am so glad for my salvation. I am so glad for my children's salvation. I will continue to pray for my husband's salvation...baby steps...little bitty baby steps. :o)

Mrs. B

If you would like to find out more about Crossroads Church, check out their website: http://www.xroadschurch.org/

Caden's Birthday Party

What a sweet weekend! The hubs and I spent it in Winchester with our friends. It was Caden's 1st Birthday (Gin's baby boy), but it was really a nice little weekend hanging out and socializing.

The best part was baking these monkey cupcakes for the actual party on Sunday at Jacobson Park. I just wanted to share with you my, I mean, our accomplishment. Gin, Mary and I were so proud of ourselves...you'd thought we cured cancer. Ahhh, not this time, but maybe next...LOL.


Happy Birthday, Caden-pooh!
CBB

Tea Time

I am in the mood to host a luncheon...better still...High Tea. There is nothing more Jane Austen-ey than tea.

Invite friends over, chat about our dull lives, talk about the weather, gossip and eat...who could ask for anything more?

Years ago, I had the opportunity to go to tea with my lil' sister (in my Mardi Gras group), Sonda. It was such a lovely experience. All of us, big sisters and little sisters, dressed up in our best clothes many of us wearing our hats...aahhh, some of my best New Orleans memories seem like just yesterday.

Oh...I digress, back to the tea. I love the simplicity of throwing a tea party...finger sandwiches, scones or muffins or cookies or petit fours (Can you tell I like the dessert aspect of it?), and tea. Voila'. You have a tea party menu from start to finish. Now, decorate according to theme and invite the peeps...it's tea party time!

Mrs. B

ATCs...need to work on these.

In case you're wondering, ATCs are Artist Trading Cards. If you are a stamper, you know what these are...because you try to make "oodles and oodles" to trade with other stampers.

I have not made any in YEARS and suddenly I am in the mood.

My dilemma is this, though...who can I trade with? Around here, I'm not aware of many ATC-ers...not aware of many stampers to tell the truth; but thanks to the good ol' internet, I'm sure I will have no trouble finding traders.

Here I go...to stamp!
CBB

"Hubs" Hiking

The hubs and I went one a little excursion this weekend. We decided to hit a place not far from us called The Breaks Interstate Park...or as we know it, the Breaks of the Mountain. The Breaks are about 45 minutes from our house, but seems almost like another country. I mean, a mountain is a mountain, but this place reminds us both of our childhoods...and I like to think it gives you the same feeling that you'd get standing in the Alps.

Around here, it's trek many folks take at least once a year, but some have never enjoyed it...never heard of it!?

This trip, we tried to hit most of the "overlooks". The view was breathtaking, as usual, but for some reason it all seemed new...not like the place we ventured as children, but a new place that we were seeing for the first time. It was God's beauty at it's finest. ( I can only imagine what it will look like in October when all the leaves start to change colors.)

We also, tried our luck with those little pedal-style boats. These boats were probably as old as we were, but all the new ones had been pulled because of minor problems...kind of made me chuckle, you know...like us, we are old, but still dependable...LOL.

We had a great time...Huddle House, the Breaks, cruising in the Civic...almost felt like we were on a date. Life is good.

:o) CBB

www.breakspark.com

Postcrossing

Sometimes, I truly stumble upon things that amaze me, or that I just fall in love with...this is one of those times. I wish I could tell you how I came across it, but I have no idea. The site and the concept that is Postcrossing is unbelievable. It is one of the true times where and when the internet is used for the greater good of mankind.

This little site sends you on an international adventure. You sign up to send postcards around the world...all the while postcards are coming to you from others...I love it. My first 5 postcards were assigned today...1 to someone here in the US, 1 to Germany, 1 to Hungary, and 2 to Finland.

When you register you tell a little about yourself and what types of postcards you like.(most folks want something from your area of the world, but they don't really care...they just like getting mail--like me...and roughly 1/2 of "postcrossers" are from Finland--turns out the Fins really like postcards. Who knew?)

Anyway, I'm really excited about this and I hope you take the time to check their site out. It is totally free...all you have to pay for are your postcards and stamps...and what's that when you are getting mail from all over the world--just think how cool your "mailperson" will think you are...LOL.

www.postcrossing.com

Mrs. B

Pics from Dinner

Dinner with the my pals!

Today was the day Mr. Chad was getting his new/old car (thank you, JD and Mary {smooch, smooch, smooch})...that's pretty exciting, but I was going to get to see almost all of my Win-Cit-ay friends (and one "new" addition). The friends I had made when I lived on my own for a year in Winchester, KY. The friends that really played a part in re-shaping my life without ever doing anything but listening. Plus, we were going to the Golden Corral, baby.

We left in plenty of time to meet up with the gang, but on the way got stuck in traffic due to a fatal accident. We waited, and waited, but then finally took another route and somehow made it there an hour and half later, but it was all good...minus JA and Gina not getting to join us. ( I did get to see JA though, for about 5 minutes.)

Dinner was typical. You really do get what you pay for at GC...and a trough is a trough...LOL. Anyway, we all got to play with Caden, the "new" addition, and it was nice socializing after such an absence from most of them. We will all be back together in less than a month and that left me with a big smile on my face and a happy ending is always great!

CBB :o)

Great "Google-y" Moogly

Everyone knows I am a Google fan, but heck...everyone should be! It's been making our life easier for what?...10 years now, but Google, also, makes us smarter. Yes, smarter.

Sweet, little Dennis Hwang has figured out a way to sneak in an educational lesson to us without ever typing a word. He simply creates a LOGO...the Google logo. In the beginning, the sketches were not very intricate, just the Google letters dressed up, but more and more they are becoming masterpieces. The artwork is definitely something to applaud. However, what the artwork represents and where it takes you is far more important, in my opinion...LOL. :o)

For example, certain days we expect a "dressed-up" Google, 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, but other days we have to be stumped. Today, is one of those days for me. Why? Do you know who Hans Christian Orsted is? No, he did not write The Little Mermaid. In fact, chances are (even with the help of the Google logo artwork) you have no idea. I did not, but when I clicked on the logo, I was enlightened.

Hans Christian Orsted is credited with, according to http://www.softsailor.com/, Ørsted is a known physician and scientist who became popular for his discovery that magnetic fields can be created by electric currents in 1820. He was born on August 14 1777 in Denmark and is considered one of the founders of electromagnetism.

So, thank you Dennis and Google for making me a little bit smarter than I was yesterday!

Mrs. B

Successful at ...Nothing.

I have 2 degrees and working on 3rd, but no job. Yet, I have always considered myself a success... well, majority of the time I do or have...LOL. But am I? What measures success? I have been thinking about this all weekend and still have no answer.

Am I successful because I have 2 great kids and a some-what seemingly normal co-parenting gig? Am I successful because I have pieces of paper that say I have completed a task of X amount of hours?...because I thought that was being successful, great kids and diplomas. But is it? I, also, count my marriage as successful, but even if it's perfect...it's my second one, so that means I failed at the first one, so is the 2nd marriage a success and I'm the failure?

What do I do? What makes me successful? I mean, I blog. I can jog. I, by proxy, have a dog. I'm not a cog. Oh, If only rhyming were a measure, then YES, I am a success! Woo Hoo! ...But since it is not, maybe I should just look for a job within Dr. Seuss's company that would fit me to a tee...LOL.

Don't get me wrong, I feel like I have failed sometimes...OK, many times. We all do though, right? I don't feel like it makes me a failure. Yet, in these uncertain times, am I just pretty good at all things, but not good enough to be successful at any? No answers today, just questions.

Mrs. B

The saddest day of the year is always in August.

Every August it's the same thing. The girls go to their other home after being here for 2 to 3 months and the longest separation of the year starts. I don't see them again until October (so, it's a minimum of 7 weeks before I get another hug, kiss, or high-five.)! It is the most difficult time of the year for me...and unless you live this life of back-and-forth sharing you have no idea the pain I feel.

For days, I cry and lay in their beds smelling their sweet scent on their pillows. I sniff the shampoo bottles to remind me of them standing beside me. I hold their stuffed animals. I straighten their closets and rooms...and then I cry, again. This never changes.

I do my best not to cry when we do "the exchange", but rarely does it work and I usually cry the 7 hours home. My husband lives in a egg shell environment for days, never knowing what will set me off into a crying/screaming/cursing frenzy.

When I talk to the girls, for their first few days back, and the conversations are short and sweet, I am hurt, but then I have to realize this is just the life they live and if they were here...the conversations would be about the same...LOL.

CBB

Small Engine Repair Physics

Short, but funny story. My daughter signed up to take a small engine repair class for the upcoming school year. I had a fit. I called her father and went on and on about how a 4.0 honor student in the gifted program did not need to know how to fix a weed eater.

The hubs comes in amidst my yelling, says nothing walks back out, while I continue my tirade towards my EX. After the phone call ends, he kindly says, "It's a good thing those Apollo XIII astronauts could problem solve and know how to use duct tape, cardboard, hoses, and Moon rock bags to create a CO2 scrubber or they'd all be dead."

I call back the EX and say how wonderful a small engine repair class would be to help her understand her physics class...and how wrong I was about not seeing it's full potential. Thank you to the HUBS for always helping me see things from a scientific point of view. :o)

Mrs. B

****In case you are wondering about what the Apollo XIII astronauts had to do to survive...
http://portal.fpsct.org/fhs/courses/designed/curriculum/Readings/mech/apollo.pdf
or in simpler terms, this:
http://www.spaceacts.com/Apollo_13_CO2_filter.htm