scrapbook room does not equal junk room!

This post is a simple rant!

I always hear people say they have a junk room.

It annoys me.

Every usable space in a house...

needs to be used:

guest room,

craft room,

music room,

game room,

"scrapbook" room,

etc!

Whatever you want...just use it!

Somewhere between summer and Christmas,

my scrapbook room disappeared and a junk room appeared.

OK, so it is not a hoarding episode yet.

And, it really isn't junky...

just piled with THINGS.

(I can not handle piles.)

I am going to fix this issue...now.

I will post before and afters!

Wish me luck!

CBB

*Pic above and other examples of before/after shots,

can be found here:

http://simplyorg.com/beforeafter.html

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas from the Buettner-Boyds:

Chad, Christy, Catarina and Claudia

Parcheesi

Dear India,

You may have your game back.
Turns out, there is a game that I may dislike more than Monopoly...Parcheesi.
It takes forever for anyone to win...LOL.

Ok, so it is kinda fun...
and blocking people
and sending them back home
and having to roll a 5...is simple,
yet creative.
I think.

I do like the camel playing pieces...LOL.

However, my 11 year old is all up in this game. If I have to play it more than 3 times over the next week, I will not be a happy camper and it may cause me to boycott Naan. Just letting you know.

Sincerely,
christy

Holiday Stress

Do you have it finished? All of it? Any of it?...you know, EVERYTHING holiday related?

Are the presents bought? Are they wrapped? The cards sent out? Cookies baked? Candy made?...LOL. It goes on and on and on, doesn't it?

Not this year, not for me!I may have to buy a few last minute gifts, but nothing major. We limited gifts we bought and decided the best gift was just being together. Well, I did anyway!...LOL.

Since Mr. Chad and I started celebrating Christmas together with the kids around 2003, we have used the alphabet to guide us. We all draw letters and all the gifts have to start with that letter. The first couple of years, he and I got 13 gifts each, as did the girls, but after everyone had a xylophone we had to re-work the tradition...so, we took out Z and X and all drew together. When we had 13 letters the gifts were to cost about $10 each, after we eliminated the 2 letters and drew from 24, everyone got 6 $20 gifts...or about that. It truly is a fun shopping experience!

Here are a few examples of what I have given in the past: O-ornamnet, B-belt, G-gift card...you see how it works, right? This truly helps me de-stress during the holidays. Sometimes I am at a loss, for what to buy with a particular letter...so, I just buy the gift I think they want and use a "neat" adjective to describe it...LOL.

Anyway, I hope you are having a great holiday season, surrounded by the ones you love most, and that you realize that one of the greatest gifts out there...is the present!...and that is an easy gift to give!

On the road again!

Picked up the girls in Birmingham.

Shopped at Barnes & Noble.

Ate at Johnny Rockets.

Drove back to Aunt Wee's.

Slept.

Got up late.

Had Breakfast with Aunt Wee, Uncle Donnie, and Dawn.

Left and Drove North.

Stopped at my lil' brother's in Knoxville.

Visited with them for a bit.

Played with Baby Olivia.

Made it home late.

Snapped a few pics in the snow.

Back to bed.

Tomorrow is another day!

quick christmas craft...that blew my mind!

http://craftberrybush.blogspot.com/2010/12/march-of-penguins.html

I am crafty and I am always doing something, but today I ran across this and was blown away...not about the craft itself.

(I usually run from this type of painting.)

This craft was awesome due to what it was made of...plastic cola bottles!

If you get a chance check it out,

leave a comment,

browse around...it is a pretty good lil' blog!

CBB

Human Clock Project!

http://www.humanclock.com/

This is what the girls and I are doing today...what are you doing?

Are you contributing to this great place called Earth.

Find something that you and your family can do together

and enjoy that time...just doing!

Law and Order-UK.

Thank you BBCAmerica! It wasn't enough that I had multiple US versions of L&O, but now I got to follow Apollo from Battlestar G. as he fights crime in Little Whindig.

Confession: it is pretty awesome watching it...we all know we love British guys with an accent so thick you can't stir it with a spoon...of course, those are always the criminals.
( How cool if they could get Brad Pitt to do a guest spot and become his Snatch persona. I see a sweeps episode.)

Gummi Eggs

http://www.nutsonline.com/chocolatessweets/gummies/gummy-novelty/fried-eggs.html

Can someone tell me why these things were invented?

I love them!

I made fun of my hubs for ordering these recently,

but now I can't stop eating them.

Dang you, Nuts Online!

Can't you just stick to NUTS?

Good Mornin' Crow's Feet...where did you come from?

I woke up a few days ago and there they were...crow's feet! Where did they come from? How did they get there? Why didn't someone tell me they were coming so soon?!

Thirty-seven, really? I'm still a kid!

These things, crow's feet, they "scurr" me. I am afraid that I will get obsessed with them and start beating people up in the "eye cream" aisle. I mean, what's next cheetah cheeks?

On the other hand though, after some research, it turns out they are a sign of happy people that like to laugh...in essence, an "attribute" that I would consider a trophy!...So today I notice, a few lines that I have to get all up in the mirror to see...for 37 awesome years of life. I consider that a pretty fair trade!

Sister Weekend 2010

Lessons learned at SW2010...and a couple of pics!

1. Don't have a cat!

2. Regardless of how long a person has been on this planet, do not assume they know the meaning of camel toe.

3. It does snow around here from time to time...you could get stuck!

4. Don't try to "Carrie" everything to the car at once...steps with ice are dangerous!

5. Taking family pics are fun...I don't care who you are!

6. Keep pantry full. If it snows, and you can't get to SUBWAY, someone can throw something together for 25 people.

7. When tired enough, people will sleep anywhere.

8. Plan on laundry...everyone washes everything after everybody leaves!

9. The best present is being with your family...and vanilla extract.

10. Start counting down 'til next year!

*To my wonderful family, thank you for sharing such a wonderful time with me and blessing my home with your presence. I am sure Granny was watching down on us, smiling, knowing she has influenced, shaped, and made some great female role models for the rest of the world to admire.

The hubs has a peeve!

Mr. Chad and I have been together/dating/married for close to eight years, and rarely does he complain about things "around" the house. Well, today was one of those days--he complained...and it was kinda funny, but out of the blue.

Here's the story. He comes home and hangs his coat on one of the chairs at the dining room table. I don't like this, so I move it. I usually hang it on the door knob to his office. Turns out he doesn't like that...LOL. He actually said, "I don't like stuff hanging on the door knobs."

WTH? Where did this come from? (I think it came from the fact that he couldn't find his coat and it was right in front of him...LOL.)

After he left for work, I cracked up. Out of all the crazy and idiotic things that I do from my OCD-ish behavior, coats on knobs is where he draws the line. I guess in all these years, if this little thing is big enough for him to point out...the least I could do is make the effort to change it. (Now, I gotta go move bras from half the knobs in the house. Don't say you don't do it, too!)

CBB

Baby H...Erin, you done good!

Today's post is just a little shout out to my wonderful friend, Erin (and her hubs, Larry--he does get partial credit for this).

Erin and Larry are now the parents of a beautiful, baby girl, Lucinda Jane Hjersted. Also, known as Lucy! Congrats to all...Fifi, Auntie Raisin, and the whole clan. Thanks for bringing another wonderful, strong, smart woman into this world!

*Isn't she adorable? {{{{smooch.smooch.smooch.}}}}

Thanksgiving 2010

Lately, I have been on that path of "why me?" again. (That monster rears it's ugly head ever so often...and these past few weeks have been very hard.) However, these things are minor and will pass and life will go on and I will remember how truly blessed I am.
Let me take the time to remember a few of those reasons now:

• I am, for the most part, healthy, wealthy and wise...LOL.
• My children, too, are...see above.
• The hubs, he is,...see above, also.

I think that just about covers it. When I look at the means of others and stop and think about what I have...I could not, should not, ask for more. Daily, I should be thankful. One day, one week, one month is not enough to give thanks for all the blessings in my life, but today...I pause to remember that I fall short, but recognize that it's OK.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

CBB

AMA2010/NKOTBSB=Shock and AWE-someness!

"unfriend" Day on Facebook

Not a Kimmel fan..well, not a BIG fan anyway, but this campaign cracked me up! To be honest, I could not tell you how many friends I have on Facebook, but I'm pretty happy to have the ones I got!...LOL. If someone deletes me...oh, well.

I do not see as many updates as I would like to see. It seems there are more of so and so likes Glad trashbags and so does 5 other people. OK, so do I need to be the 6th? Facebook has some weird idiosyncracies, but all in all, I like it. I like seeing what old friends are doing: getting married, having kids, watching ballgames, even eating at a new sushi place in NYC. It is also wonderful in keeping up with my own children...when they share with their friends, I get to see it. Something that would not happen if we were just sitting around in our own house.

So, before you delete anyone, think about this: why did you add them in the first place? If the word friend pops into your mind, at all, go ahead and keep them...it doesn't hurt anything and next week that person may post the best pics to creep on...The Alamo Trip/122 pictures--"why thank you, I think I will. I have never been to the Alamo."

Happy "Unfriend" Day.
CBB

Bonjour Brendan and Hugh Grant and low self-esteem!

Today started as a good day...started, but I can probably say the middle was quite possibly the worst in a long time.

It all started like a normal "date Sunday" with the hubs. I was well rested after watching 2 Hugh Grant movies the night before, Bridget Jones' Diary and Notting Hill. (I totally forgot how much I liked his smarmy-ness.) I was up early, read some blogs that I follow, then spoke to my sweet friend, Brendan Parker for a bit on Facebook. (Brendan is the eldest son of 2 of my best friends in the world...and he is in Paris for the semester. Salut' Brendan!)

However, from the time we left the house, Mr. Chad was acting like a total ass. (Yes, such an ass, I don't even want to use the term, the hubs, for the rest of this post.) We barely spoke driving over Long Fork. I got car sick, something that has never happened to me before, IN MY LIFE. He bitched and complained the whole time we were at Bob Evans. Didn't want to go into Lowe's. Wasn't rude to my cousin, Gina, but wasn't friendly either. Decided not to go into JCPenney's with me, so I felt like I was on a timer...and then kept saying, "I'm not going to miss the race today, so you need to hurry."

By the time I came out of JCP, I was sad, angry, and depressed...all in one. All I wanted to do was come home, cry, and sleep...and that's just what I did. I know there are days like this in marriage, but this one almost did me in.

*Highlight though, chatting with Brendan.

Fred and Diana, you raised a great kid!

CBB

Happy Birthday, Hubby...and thank you to all Vets!

Thank you to all veterans.

I know Freedom is not free.

God Bless you for serving!

To: Mr. Chad

Happy Birthday, honey!

I love you.

My "go-to" recipe for goodies.

I am a good cook, not a great cook...but, good enough. I can make anything with a recipe. Yet, my families FAVE thing that I make is the simplest...oreo truffles. This recipe has 2 ingredients: oreos and cream cheese. Now, that does not include the coating, but geez all that is...is melted almond bark. My daughters love them. The hubs loves them. My brother is crazy about them!

2 INGREDIENTS!
How funny?!
So today, I am making 200 truffles...sounds like a lot, but it takes no time. Below, I have posted some links with the recipe...find the one easiest for you and your family.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx
http://www.bakerella.com/grocery-item-goes-gourmet/
http://www.food.com/recipe/oreo-truffles-87967
http://mybakingadventures.com/2010/02/14/oreo-truffles/

Make some today!

Stamps and the USPS

I love stamps! (Yes, the cute ones you use for scrapbooking.), but I love postal stamps, too. 9 out of 10 times, I sit and think, "what kind of stamp fits this person?". I do.

I mean, if I send a birthday card, I do not want one of those liberty bell forever stamps...come on, really? You ALL know those are ugly.

I guess because i get soooo much international mail and I see soooo many great stamps, I can not use anything lame.

Don't think that I don't inspect the stamps on the letters sent to me, of course I do. The UK has great ones Wallace & Gromit, Winnie the Pooh, etc. Russia even has scented stamps! In the US, some of ours are a little weird...famous sailors. Well, they couldn't have been too famous, I had no idea who they were, but then again, thanks USPS...NOW, I do!

Anyway, it is getting to be "holiday" time and that means holiday stamps...not to pleased this year; my Christmas cards will be adorned with pine cones...yes, pine cones! Really, USPS? I know you can't get all religious and stuff, but how about mistletoe instead of pine cones!

Well, now you know...I like stamps, but not all of them...not all the time. Now you have to wait for that Christmas card from me, see what I chose for you...not everybody got pine cones!

CBB

The name of towns...Kite.

Google the image Kite. Look at a few pages. Hold those visions in your mind...A cute kid running on the beach with a kite overhead, a kite billowing in the sky...on a beach, a row of kites in unison...on a beach. All this brings me to today's topic: How did my little town, hundreds of miles from a beach and not too much flat land to run on (with kite in hand), get the name KITE?

Years ago, when "smaller" post offices existed, my house would have fallen in the area known as Hall, KY. Well, yeah...there is a gazillion Halls in this area, but not too many "kites". I mean, seriously, who came up with this as a feasible, legitimate name for this area. (I, normally, say area b/c town would totally be misleading you.) . I love the postmaster, though...she's been there since I was a kid...and STILL looks the same. (I love you, Doris!)

Here are a few facts about KITE:

My "area" has less residents than any given high rise in any given city! (No lie!)

My "area" is less than a mile from where I teach school, but the school is in another zip code.

My "area" sells a newspaper that states in the corner,

"under 1 million copies sold each week"...duh?

My "area" has no secret kite flying societies...unless they are REALLY secret about them.

Regardless, I may have to put on my thinking cap and go researching...because everyone knows, there is always something to a name.

Otherwise, why buy Fendi over Merona(a little shout out to my beloved Target)!

Am I right?

CBB

David Garrett and David Guetta

I am totally feeling the love with both of these artists!

So different, but so finding a place in my collection these days!

They both make me want to dance.

David Garrett plays my fave instrument in the whole world and I could just sit and listen to his talent ALL day. Right now he has an album out of "rock classics" in a "classical" form. PURE LOVE! This guy is beautiful, right?...but have you heard him play the violin? Ahhh, sweet, sweet music! Check it out on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B003O86MY8/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img

David Guetta is my go-to guy for fun and dancing. When I play his music I just want to stop doing whatever I'm doing...and dance. My hubs has these HUGE ASS speakers at our feet in his office, maybe it is bass, I have no idea, but I know when Guetta comes on...my whole body moves with the music. IT IS FANTASTIC!

So go show some LOVE to these guys...buy a song, buy an album, watch the vids...who cares, just DANCE! Your day will get better! Mine did.

CBB

Halloween...whatev?

Totally not in the mood this year, but have a great one!

BLOG overload!

Great new blogs!

http://www.1000cranemission.com/


http://americanbridget.blogspot.com/


http://www.theblahblahblahger.com/


http://www.hollywoodhousewife.com/


http://www.rachelleonard.com/my_right_brain/

Sometimes...you got to let it go!

When things are out of your hands and out of your control...you gotta let go. This is a lesson I learned late in life and still struggle with daily. I do believe that there is a great purpose for me in life and that we all play a part in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes, I get caught up in the "why", but that too is not left up to me. I like to think that I am a warrior and that every fight or trial that I endure makes me better. I am an actress, too...and I will own the part that I am given...no matter how big...or small. Life goes on!

My husband is the TIN man!

OK, so Oz never did give nothing to the tin man that Lowe's hasn't already...LOL. Today's story: I found a home decorating project that I fell in love with--corrugated tin walls. I wasn't sure how to do it, but I knew I just had to have it. It took a while to convince the hubs, but it finally happened...and let me just say...IT'S AWESOME!

I wanted it to look very urban, modern, chic...however, I think the hubs is going to try and turn the room into a roadhouse...I am now trying to find a happy medium. How can I get the "city" look that I want, yet allow him to enjoy the "tin", too? Any suggestions?

CBB

Credit where credit is due...

I steal pics from the Internet...no one has red-flagged me or sent horrible emails for me to remove anything, but I am starting to feel bad for it...LOL. I like to assume if it is out there...it's mine, too...but I know it is not. Also, I'm not making money off the blog, so is there a crime here? I would gladly link to the pic, but not sure how to do that either. I need help folks...and advice. What do you think? I want to give credit where credit is due, but how?

Taylor Swift and Mark Ballas

So, if I had to meet 2 up-and-comers...it would be Taylor Swift and Mark Ballas. I am not sure why, but they seem very "real". I think, at this point, they seem to be pretty decent kids and I like to think they have their heads on straight, both are goal oriented, and seem to genuinely like their fans.

Recently, I watched Taylor do a webcast for Scholastic books and she was a dream. What parent wouldn't want their tween girls to look to her for inspiration?

Mark, has been dancing with Bristol Palin this season, a true non-dancer, on DWTS and he is so good natured and focused on her, both her strengths and weaknesses. He is a caring teacher...but are you wondering where I am going with this?

Well, I want to eat my words. I have thought these 2 were the biggest "fakes" in the business for the last few years. No lie. I thought they were so sugary-sweet nice that they had to be almost "tool" like in real life. They have annoyed me to no end. My kids, both, like them. Everyone I know likes them...and I couldn't believe they were what they appeared to be, but I'm here to say, "I think they are".

I am still not a Taylor Swift "music" lover, but I think she is talented and wise beyond her years...I hope she stays that way. Mark, well, he is so nice...I want to dance now! I guess this is my public apology to both, and I would like to say they probably don't care what I think, but you know what...I bet they do...LOL!

Love you Taylor!
Love you Mark!

No more BP pills!

I am anti-pills. I have said this many times, but I don't think people know the true extent of my disdain for "any and all" meds. Yes, I know they can help us. I , also, know that our culture makes us think that anything can be fixed with a prescription. Hence, the rise of the "GlaxoSmithKline" generation.

There are 2 meds, though, that I thought I would take FOREVER. My thyroid replacement is one, and the other is my blood pressure pill. The first I WILL take forever, but the other...let's examine.

Now, I am a headache sufferer-tension/stress, sinus, migraine, and BP, but I never thought my BP was "high" enough for meds except during pregnancies (and that concerned me), but my doctors felt otherwise however, and labeled me as "borderline".

I am pretty sure family history had something to do with it, too. I have 11 aunts and uncles and I am willing to bet...ALL of them take some form of BP pill. I am not in great shape these days and that could have been a factor as well, but even when I was "in-shape", I still had to take them.

I am/was a "high stresser", too. Always worrying about things out of my control...but I am done with that these days, so I must be doing pretty good because. TODAY...Doc M took me off my BP meds. Yeah for me!

In fact, he told me it was probably one of the reasons I felt "run down and tired". I am so happy. I mean, I have to monitor my BP weekly and I need to drop about 20-25 pounds, but all in all, it was a great day at the doc's office.

Wait, I think I feel better already...LOL.

CBB

13

My husband got me a little kitten.

He rescued it from the middle of the road...it is a baby.

I have never had a pet cat, only fish, but I love this kitten.

She is so cute.

I love you, 13!

College Footbal...the best of times...the worst of times!

UK Lost.

LSU Won.

Tennessee got beat in the best game of the week.

..and Dooley is being sent back to 1st grade to learn to count.

(11 is 2 less than 13)

What a weekend.

I love this stuff!

mesh netting

I am in love with this stuff. It is the greatest thing to come along in floral design and gift wrap...since ting ting! Below is a video of Nashville Wraps showing us how to use it.



This stuff looks great in wreaths and Christmas trees...and you can find it at:
www.Nashvillewraps.com

Daughters of the American Revolution

Congrats to my wonderful, beautiful, smart, funny, charming daughter, Catarina, who secured her school's nomination for the Daughters of the American Revolution scholarship. This scholarship would help her greatly pursue her dreams of going to the college of her choice.

The D.A.R., in their own words:

The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.

What a fantastic description of a phenomenal organization. If you would like to find out more you can check them out at: www.dar.org

Way to go, Catarina! We are all so proud of you!
I love you!
I can't believe how fast time has gone by...you are perfect!

Medicine Cabinets

Quick post today. I did a room-makeover for my bathroom. Just some paint, moulding, maybe a floor change, but NOTHING major...LOL. This room did need a new mirror when I was almost finished though, so I went to get one.

When I got there, they didn't have the one I wanted and I was going to have to go to another store. I had them to call the store and hold it until the next day. Bad idea!

Next day...had to take hubs to get mirror/medicine cabinet. (I am not a fan of med cabinets, but I did like this one, so I figured, "what the heck".)

Hubs became very jealous of "my" med cabinet, so he wanted one for "his" bathroom. Well, that's all fine and good, but he has double sinks in his bathroom. So, what did we buy today? $600 worth of medicine cabinets...LOL.

{{{{WE DON'T EVEN HAVE MEDICINE TO GO IN THEM!}}}}

It was still a fun day...breakfast, new vac, tin, and Christmas ornaments, too! I love my Sundays with Charlie. Happy wives and happy husbands make for happy homes. Catarina and Claudia should be happy girls...and they didn't even get a medicine cabinet!

CB

School Pictures

*First of all, if you are any of the people to the left, this post is NOT about you! You just happen to be in the picture I hijacked from somewhere out there on the Internet.

I recently, got my "teacher's photo" proof for the yearbook. Let's just say...I was not a happy camper! In fact, let's get real, I'm not getting any younger, but they sent me back a proof of my mother! I was shocked...and I cried. ( I have been crying on here more than I really do..."in real life"...LOL.)

You talk about someone ready for re-takes...I'm counting down the days like a fat kid waiting for Halloween.

There is no reason that I would think that my picture would look like an aging Jennifer Anniston, however, I was not expecting Cloris Leachman looking back at me, either! My proof was a reminder of how little I get paid and yet how much work I need done...DO NOT JUDGE! hahahaha

You will never see this pic, in fact I'm praying I NEVER see this pic, again, but it's out there...and you know what...eventually all things come out!Poor me, I hope if it ever does, I'll already be in my retirement home!

Smile...and say, "cheese".

CBB

I have 3 doctors!

Dr.K, Dr. M, and BFF-OB/GYN Dr. C...these are my doctors.

(None of which are pictured above...LOL)

This is my story of why I have 3 of them.

Right off the bat, Dr.C is my hoo-ha doc. I don't need to go into much there. Ladies, we all need one. Find one you like, you trust, and you can text when you have "dumb-butt" questions that Web MD fails to answer.

Dr. K, I have been "seeing" for close to 7 years...I know since my return to "the mountains". He is smart and handsome...LOL. He is very thorough and I like that in a doctor, but he is also a foreign national that was brought up with a silver spoon in his mouth...so I tease him--a lot! The hubs sees him, too. He is a good guy.

Over the past year, I have discovered Dr. M, though.
Dr. M graduated from the med school I wanted to attend. He is an osteopathic doctor and sharp as a tack. He doesn't BS around, either and I like that in my doctor. I have been pretty fortunate that nearly all my docs don't tiptoe around me. They point and shoot...even if I don't agree with them sometimes.

They all know how I feel about meds. I won't take pain meds or antibiotics and prefer not to be put in the hospital if I can treat "it", whatever "it" may be, at home. They have seen me through whiplash, pneumonia, minor depression, weight gain (see minor depression--again), thyroid issues, etc...and somehow, I'm still living.

I guess they know what they're doing and I respect them all.
Thanks for being doctors y'all...
well, my doctors, anyway!
CBB

No more re-runs!

It is fall and that means NO MORE RE-RUNS! I am officially psyched for this television season. Mainly, House and all the CSIs, but there are a few others. I can't wait to try to lose weight with The Biggest Loser, pretend I'm dancing the cha-cha with Maks on Dancing With The Stars, and shouting Ba-Zinga with Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) whenever I know it will annoy my husband, singing at the top of my lungs with Glee, laughing with Tosh.0, and envying Agent David (we all know you LOVE Tony).

Yet, it pains me to say these words, "I have missed you, Chuck!"...LOL. (No, not THAT Chuck, the "spy" Chuck.) All I can say is TGF-DVR. Cause I can't wait to get my "TV watching" on...how about you? What are you watching this season?

****Oh, a little 411, too! One of our very own is competing on The Amazing Race...2009 Miss Kentucky, Mallory Ervin, and her dad Gary! Good Luck and bring home the win to to the bluegrass state! We are all pulling for ya!

Wedding-ology

{Not sure who created this board...if it is your work, please email me and I will give you credit.}

Had I married a man of money...and simply been a lady of leisure...I would sit around and plan weddings all day. No one would even have to pay me!

When I hear folks talking about how weddings aren't important...I shutter and tears secretly flow from my eyes. Are you kidding me? It is the ONLY time a man KNOWS they must dress up and it is the time that most women will tell you they felt and looked beautiful...and I can add--I have NEVER seen an ugly bride.

It is a time when all surroundings are tied together with some element of color. Ahhh, Summer-red and black weddings, Fall-orange and browns, White winter weddings and the beautiful pale colors of spring...I love them all.

Many times, I will sit and just look through wedding boards on all the great wedding sites. Wedding blogs are even better than commercial sites...and these are real people. People with budgets and DIY stuff. I could do this all day...every day.

I am so in the mood for a wedding...Now, let's see who I can fix up with one of my cousins...Any readers have brothers...LOL.

CBB

I am content ...or I really should be.

There are times when you have those reflective moments...not, A-HA ones, just reflective ones where a feeling comes over you that makes all seem right with the world. I normally, have these in my swing...the one in my backyard, not the one on my front porch. (Yes, I have 2 swings.)

This occurred today and a feeling of contentment swept over me like never before...I really think I was at peace with myself. I am, normally, all tied up in what is "going" to happen or what "has happened", but not today. I think maybe it had to do with being alone. The hubs was at a race, Claudia was with a friend, and Catarina was out. (I know where they are, even when they are not here.) It was just me...here...on that swing.

I was thinking about how lucky I am, but it's not really luck...I think I'm fortunate. I have a great husband, perfect kids (don't we all?...LOL), a good home, food in my fridge, money in the bank, at what point do we say , "OK, this is it!".

I think I'm there
...for today!

If you're looking for Amy Tan...don't stop here!

I am not a professional writer. I am a blogger. I make typos and grammatical errors all the time. I have a degree in communication and 2 states have certified me to teach Language Arts (if I want to), yet I am human, and mistakes occur.

At times, my mind moves much faster than my fingers. I like to have a few pals to read and edit, but that doesn't happen all the time either. So, this blog is what it is.

If you come here looking for great "writing"...move on, but if you want a laugh, a cry, or just something to read...welcome!

Mrs. B

College Football, baby!

Am I ready?...You know it! The time is here and I look forward to it more and more each year. I LOVE football. College football. Pro football. High school football. Flag football. It really doesn't matter. I love it!

Problem is I have to hide my feelings for it. (*Women, do not let your man know that you love anything that they do. It will put a damper on many of your plans.) If they know you want to watch the game, they will tempt you with things like, "I'm not a USC fan, let's run to Lowe's" or "It's Alabama and a community college like team, I want to go out to eat". Don't buy it. They are testing you.

Here are some fool-proof excuses that will allow you to watch and never give away your true feelings for the game.

• I don't feel well, maybe I should rest. Why don't you put on the game and I'll just sit here with you?
• Dang, all Bravo is showing are re-runs of Top Chef DC, guess I'll lay here and watch the game with you...since nothing else is on.
• I'm going to do e-mails and "grade papers" (insert whatever your profession calls for), so you can watch the game while I'm doing that and then maybe we can run to wherever.
• Let's try the new surround sound, I haven't heard it. I bet it sounds great with fans yelling in the background. By the way, who's playing??
• "So and So" were going to the game today. They said they were in the end zone. Let's watch and see if we see them.

I can not guarantee these will work for you. You may have to re-word them to fit your situation, but...it is game time, and no matter the excuse, remember: the end justifies the means...LOL.

Am I ready? You know it! OR Gee, is it football time again? Honey, I didn't know.

CBB

Ripped Pants

Just something to share. If I thought it was bad to fall at school, something worse happened.

Thank God, Allah, Buddha, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster that it happened at the end of the day and no students saw it. Let's just say, I am no longer a GAP size 12 and that Sponge Bob and I now have something in common, other than our love for a pet snail.

Anyone want to exercise with me?...LOL.

Hanging pictures

I'm a BIG fan of google, but watch "how" you word something...because "hanging pictures" is a bit different than "hanging" pictures. Unless you have a strong stomach or nerves. I advise you not to try this particular one. Let's just say, I saw pics of Saddam Hussein that I could have went my whole life without seeing, but on the other hand...I now have some great displays of family portraits. Thanks google, for the GOOD and the BAD!

Elk Expo with the EX-in-laws, a neighbor, and Carl!

I guess about a week ago, my ex-brother-in-law sent me a text to see if Mr. Chad or I could show him and a couple of others around the area to scout out places to possibly elk hunt in December. Mr. Chad had to do something that day, so I became the tour guide.

Now, those of you that know me, know that I LOVE my ex-father-in-law. He was the first "real" father I ever had, other than a few uncles. I married his son at 18 and I was still a kid, so he had some influence on who I became. He is a great man. With that being said, here's the story of the day.

About 2pm, I met them at the Sportsplex, where they were enjoying the Elk Expo, to take them around "section 3" .( I think the hunting area is divided into multiple sections over several counties.) While driving, they proceed to tell me where they can and can't hunt and that they can not hunt on Consol (coun-cil) property. (Please remember, all four of these men live in or were raised in Wisconsin...accent, folks...accent.) I was like, "I don't even know what this is. How do you spell it?"...and then I burst out laughing after they did, because it turns out, they can't hunt on CONSOL's(con-sol) property. CONSOL (http://www.consolenergy.com/) is an energy(coal mining) company that probably owns ALL the property where the ELK roam...reclaimed mountaintops!

Anyway, I took them around the mountains of east KY, to show them my home. It was a wonderful time and I loved seeing my ex-FIL and my ex-BIL, but I loved meeting Carl! Carl is Shawn's father. Shawn is ex-BIL's neighbor/friend/hunting buddy/Wisconsin-ite! He was a nice guy, too...but all of those guys in the truck, combined, did not hold the enthusiasm of Carl. Carl had the gift of gab--like I do, but he was very genuine when asking questions about the locals...ie. education level, occupations, drug problems, rural living, etc. He was a wonderful participant in my tour talks.

At the end of the day, I took them back to the EXPO, where they were going to a "beast feast", I think, and said good-bye. However, Carl thanked me again and again, and I was really glad to have met him. I thought to myself, "I like this ol' guy too bad we can't stay in touch" when from out of left field Carl says, "hey, you got Facebook?" Why yes, Carl, I do.

Here's to a new friendship and how Facebook is not that bad!...LOL.

CBB

P.S. They didn't see any elk that day except on a sign...and that is a funny story for another day, too!