Holes in my mouth and tables? on my mind.

This week has been a drag.
Well, if I want to be accurate... more like an ER Operating Room. On a full moon. On New Years Eve. Or Saint Patty's Day. With all the Doctors inebriated - or on vacation in Tahiti.

Who knew that taking one day off (one of the slowest days of the week at that!) would throw off an entire week! I have been slammed at work.
Since I spent the weekend sleeping, I was also pretty tired all week.

Weird fact (and something I did not expect for some reason): When they yank our your teeth, you have large, gaping holes in the back of your mouth. This can be frustrating when you try (and after) you eat. I should probably google whether or not they will ever grow over... Lord, I hope so.
Bright side: If I ever want to weird anyone out...

On to other things:

One of the projects that I would like to try to tackle around the house soon:

(Do not fear, the little heater is not plugged up. I just keep it there so that it's easy access during the dead of winter - then it follows me around the house like a dog.)

 



Say hello to the little table in my living room. (I feel like there is a particular name for this, but for the life of me, I cannot think of what it is.) I kinda want to give it a little re-vamp... mainly because I really, really, really don't like this color wood.

(Yeah, like the glade candle? I've had it for a couple years. I refuse to burn it except on special occasions. It smells SO pretty, but I CANNOT find this exact scent. It's the Glade Holiday Collection: Homemade Gingerbread in case you were wondering. Hit me up if you know where I can find another one.)

 

My ceiling fans, picture frames, and little entertainment center/TV table... thing... (whatever you call it) are a nice espresso brown, thus I would like to change this table to that color also.

I like things to match.

 

While I'm at it, I might fix that lamp and lampshade also...

 

Who knows? You can't ever tell what I might do - I'm wild and crazy like that.

 



Goodbye wisdom!

Okay, so I'm attempting to do this post from my iPhone since looking at the big computer screen for too long makes me woozy.

Yesterday, first thing bright and early - I took the Valium that I was prescribed by my dentist. Being nervous about what Valium would do to me, I asked people and YouTubed thank junk- along with watching videos of people who had just had their teeth taken out. The conclusion: Valium was going to make me loopy and after they gave me the stuff at the dentist, I was going to be so out of it that I would think I rode a unicorn to Hogwarts. While all of this scared me a little, I also was kind of looking forward to it. Who wouldn't be? I get to go to some magical place and not remember anything.

About 55 minutes later though, I told Ben that I wasn't sure if the meds were working or not. But at least I wasn't breathing into a paper bag because I was freaking out.

They strapped the gas on me and everyone talked for a few minutes. The doc asked me if I felt any different - nope. Nada. Nothing. I was a little panicked. If they started working on my teeth right then, I would be just as awake and alert as any normal person! Thankfully, he told the nurse to turn it up a little and I decided to breathe that junk liked life depended on it. Two breaths in, I started laughing - don't know why, nothing was said and nothing was funny, but laugh I did - and hey laugh with me. So they started their work. (nothing will sober you up faster than hearing the word needle.)

Thank Jesus that Ben was in there. He held my hand the entire time and I was able to talk to everyone the whole time. I know what the doc and nurse probably thought some of the stuff I said had to do with the gas, but thankfully the husband knew I meant every word - he's used to the random lol. He also knows how chatty I get and if I'm nervous even a little bit, I just start saying whatever pops in my head.

Honestly, it really wasn't that bad and it was over really fast. I was able to walk out by myself and my face didn't even swell! Sad day though: because of OSHA regulations, I wasn't allowed to bring my teeth home :( so my loving husband made sure to get some good pictures before we left.

CAUTION: if you don't want to see my teeth, please scroll down to e next picture. Also, no worries - I'm only including one picture of the teeth.)

 

 

One I got home the husband gave me some pain meds and tucked me into bed. What a marvelous nap!I had so many wonderful people check in on me and I LOVE my care package from Ben's mom, aunts, and other mama (his grandma).

My Mother-in-Law knows me so well :)

 

(yes, those are Grumpy and Dopey socks - I told Sherry those can represent how I'm supposed to feel! lol)

I was also brought chicken stew and mashed potatoes and gravy from Kentucky Fried Chicken! The Lord has really really blessed me. I'm sorry I don't have a funny video to put up of me after I lost my wisdom teeth, but I can tell those of you who need to have your wisdom removed, it's not as bad as it seems. Also I know an awesome dentist, if you ever need one. :)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go back to bed...

Killin' ya' with cuteness...

I've been spending some time lately going through old pictures with Sherry.

I love getting to see my manly, beardy-faced, grown up husband as a little boy! (Plus, it helps give me an idea of what our kids might look like one day!)

I thought that tonight I would share a couple of the photos with you guys! (He's so stinking cute, I couldn't resist sharing!)

(My word... I had a lot of exclamation points going on there.... Sorry about that...)

 

Oh my goodness... Couldn't you just squeeze those little cheeks?!!! How adorable is he?!! Apparently he was sweet to boot! I was told very helpful and quiet... and VERY protective of his Momma. I was told that once in the grocery store, he kicked the mess out of one of the older men that we went to church with because that man said "shut-up" to his Momma. (In a joking way, of course... but Ben didn't know that - he just knew that was a bad word.)

 

 

Sherry said Ben NEVER did anything half way... (That hat and jacket are legit cowboy wear - you can be assured that there was a very nice pair of cowboy boots on his feet.) and he decided at quite a young age that he was a cowboy. (I was told that it was all of the John Wayne and Clint Eastwood films. He once told me that by the age in the above picture he had no question in his mind whether or not he was every bit the bad mama jama that Mr. Eastwood was.)

 

 

While me and the Mr. are waiting a little while before we have our passel of cowboys and princesses, these pictures sure give me something to dream about.

 

 

I don't worry too much about having ugly babies. :)

 

quick little update thing

I'm a little pooped today, so this will probably be short.
I try to update on Monday's, but I was reading last night and completely forgot about blogging. (I finished my book by the way - and it was great.)

Yesterday was Ben's first day of school! (Yes I made him take 1st day of school pictures and everything! I'd share them, but he said they looked dorky. :)) He enjoyed class and I think he'll have a great semester.

Over the weekend me and Ben decided to join the tech world and we both upgraded to iphones - whoo-hoo! (now, if only I could figure out how to work it... lol) (Hopefully, this will also mean that my little bloggity-blog will contain more pictures! Fingers crossed!)

I'm so ready for fall... it isn't funny. I miss my comfy, soft, warm clothes. I miss perfect temps and beautiful scenery. Which, maybe I'm dreaming of fall so much that I'm seeing things, but a few of the trees on my way to work are already starting to change.


Oh! and PS I almost forgot, I'm having three of my wisdom teeth yanked out first thing Friday morning - pray for me!!! (the other one needs to come out too...but unfortunately, it seems to be BFF's with a nerve and some bone.)

Let's forget about today...

This afternoon was quite horrid.
(I ate a few flies (got one in my eye), super busy at closing time, almost late for supper, and (my favorite) almost drove into oncoming interstate traffic. Of course all of this was combined with normal, small, daily annoyances.)

Let's not speak of such awful things.... (Judging by my facebook, I'm not the only one who wishes to forget today.)

Instead I shall speak of things that make me happy: (AKA post cool pictures that make my heart smile.)

Source: Uploaded by user via Pocketful on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via ❀angel on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

Source: cargocollective.com via Alan on Pinterest

and who could leave out this:

Source: shechive.files.wordpress.com via Amber on Pinterest

Why yes, I do think these fabulous pictures have relaxed and made me a little happier - hope they have you as well.

Scrubbing Toilets

Hello Monday,

And so we meet again...

Random for the day: Toothpaste really does help your scratched up CD's. (Yes, I still own those.) I was a little frustrated that I couldn't listen to my Destiny's Child CD, so I came home and Pinterested that junk. I now have a completely workable CD.

Recap: This weekend was restful. Saturday and Sunday night me and Ben were asleep by 9pm. (He was actually asleep around 7:30... We were watching TV... well, I thought we were - until I looked over and saw that he was watching the back of his eyelids.)
What wasn't filled with sleep was filled with biscuit making - Good biscuit making, might I add.
It was a good weekend.

Today, during one of the lulls at work, I wrote out a "to-do" list. (I really write one at least once a day.) Today's was really long. My house is slowly fading into disaster. I always write out everything that I need to do to fix that fact... but when I come home, I check my facebook, email, pinterest, etc. and never do get around to caring about the fact that my house is a wreck.
Today was different. I started in the Master Bathroom. (I hate cleaning our bathroom. We have one of those jacuzzi tubs. While it's wonderful because it's so large, I HATE IT. It's a nightmare to clean - and you HAVE to keep it clean. Nasty, germy junk gets into those jets... and whether you turn them on or not, it gets into your bath water - YUCK!) I got the whole room cleaned (Even changed that light bulb that has been blown since we bought the house!) and moved on to the bedroom.
I've washed some clothes. (No, that doesn't include folding and putting away. Baby steps.)
Washed a load of dishes.
And watered my plants.

I'm a little happy with myself.

Now, on to a little bit of reading....

Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit!

My Momma might kill me for what I'm about to say, but oh well. Sorry Ma.

While I consider my Momma to be the finest cook in the Southeast, there is one thing that has always eluded her in the kitchen: The homemade biscuit. Her battle with biscuits is the equivalent of my battle with Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Anyways, I decided (with no training or any idea what I was doing) to attempt to make homemade biscuits.

I headed out to Bi-Lo and stocked up on the following:
White Lily Self Rising Unbleached Flour
Whole Buttermilk
Salted Butter

I took 2 cups of flour (and a pinch of sugar) and sifted it with a whisk (I don't have one of those fancy sifters)  and then cut up cold butter (1/4 cup) and chopped it in with the the flour. I then added 3/4 cup of cold buttermilk - slowly - and constantly stirred it until it became a sort of 'ball'. Then I took it out of the bowl and plopped it on to my floured (and very clean) counter. I kneaded it a few times. I flattened it out to about 3/4 an inch and cut those babies out! I put them on a greased pan (made sure they were touching) and brushed the tops with melted butter. I slung them in the oven on 450 for 10 minutes.

(I know, I need to clean my oven.)

While I waited I mixed up some of Ben's favorite gravy and cooked up some ground sausage.

Then the ultimate test: The hubs and Isaac gave them a try... (That's right, I had two test subjects... two that are NOT prone to lying and are very picky.)

They passed the test!

I CAN MAKE GOOD HOMEMADE BISCUITS! (I ate one myself - that's how I know.)

Yes, the finished product... biscuits and sausage gravy.

Hardee's, eat your heart out.



Wednesday's with Katie

I had plans for tonight. Catching up on some reading... starting to price my yard sale items... washing clothes... It's amazing how during the week I ALWAYS have big plans, but as soon as my behind touches the couch, absolutely nothing gets done. Maybe I should stop being so surprised about my foiled plans. Let's face it: my couch is secretly evil and it has plans to take over (my) world.

Monday and Tuesday's are something straight up serious and leave me dragging by Wednesday. I have been ridiculously tired all day today. At one point, I closed my eyes and did not move for 3 minutes. I knew if I just kept them closed a minute or two longer I would be OUT.
On the bright side, tomorrow is Thursday (whoop whoop!) and Thursday and Friday are pretty good days.

Okay, I feel like sharing another sibling story tonight.
I really wanted to share this one particular story, but I have to speak with my sister and get clearance to tell it - it's embarrassing to both of us. While I don't always mind embarrassing myself via world wide web, I'm sure my sister may have opinions of her own.

There was a sign that I saw on Pinterest that said "I don't remember if I'm the good sister or the evil one." Well, I remember. I'm the good one. I have been telling people for years - and yet no one believes me in the slightest.
Oh which evil sister story do I tell first???
How about this one...
I guess this one was back when I was around 10 and Katie was 8... We had two new puppies. One was super calm and gentle. (Only problem with him was the fact that he would get car sick. That drool was no joke.) The calm one we named Pete. He had a sister - we named her Dot. Dot was NOT calm. Dot was WILD. She also liked to scratch.
Well, for a few years something freaky happened and my sister decided to start waking up before me. What's an evil 8 year old supposed to do at the butt crack of dawn? Why grab the crazy puppy and a flashlight and go wake up her sister! She first would shine the flashlight directly into my eyes. When I would roll away and bury my head in the covers, she would stick Dot up under the covers too! I promise, little claws wake you up really quickly. She would then run to the living room where of course I could not retaliate in front of the parentals.
The worst part of the story? They thought it was FUNNY. (You wanna talk about wrong? That was so wrong...) I believe my dear old Dad told me I should just wake up earlier.
Bright side of the story: That whole waking up before me phase did not last long. The parents didn't fuss when I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine... and while I live hours away, I take every chance that presents itself.

Now, I refer to my sister as the evil one, I really love her and she's not actually evil. She's wonderful and I really love her - it's just she can be a butt head.

So glad that there wont be puppies, red headed children, or flashlights waking me up in the morning.

Sleep tight world.

Monday, you will not blot out my happiness!

(I'm sorry to say that this entry will be short. I should already be in bed, but I needed to pay bills - and that's never a two minute activity.)

If you hated today, raise your hand!

Today... today, was a Monday. It was quite horrid. But, like everything - there are always bright things to keep you holding on and above the surface.

I think I loathed today because the previous weekend was just FABULOUS! (and maybe because I woke up at 4am...)

One of my favorite parts (and one of those bright, happy moments that kept me going today...): Alanah had her birthday part on Saturday. She turned 3 years old! It was a princess party and she even wore a princess gown. When it came time to open presents, she opened one (a cash register) and said so wistfully... "OH NANA... How did you KNOW???..."
*I so wish you could have heard her... it was so sweet. It was like she'd gotten the most secretly longed-for present of her entire life..."

What's your bright spot? Keep holding on! The week lies ahead! But we WILL weather this storm!

A new day has come... and what a beautiful day it is!

Have you ever noticed that those moments where your whole life changes, are often little moments?
They're subtle. The creep in a little at a time.
Kind of like a sunrise.
Now, I love sunrises. Sunsets are pretty, don't get me wrong - but it can't beat a sunrise. Nothing like watching and waiting for a new day and new life. So beautiful; so peaceful - and yet so exciting. Too often people want them to hurry along and never do just stop and watch. The beauty is not just at the end of the sunrise, the beauty is in the quiet, slow change.

I'm sorry I've been away, it's been a busy few days!
Quick update: Went to the dentist Friday afternoon. All four wisdom teeth need to go. Going to try and schedule an appointment Monday. Fun stuff.

I'd stay and write more (there's so much I wish I could say!)
But I must go and get ready for the day.

And so I leave you with "Good Morning."

Voices

I really don't need to be blogging right now. In all honesty, I need to get up and wash some laundry. I really would like to have my house clean so that I can have a weekend that is NOT filled with catch-up cleaning. Unfortunately, I'm currently being accosted by a rather annoying headache. So, while I'm waiting on that "fast-acting Aleve" to kick in, I'm chilling out on the couch glued to my heating pad.

*Random Thought: I really wish I had a curtain for my kitchen window.*

As I was driving home the other day, I was thinking about children I know who have rather horrific (and by horrific, I do mean sensational) accents. I thought about how they made me smile.
Which lead me to think about "voices." I have always enjoyed trying out different voices. It was something that my sister and I have enjoyed playing around with. Honestly, with some voices, we can be quite good. Others, not so much - but hey, it's always good for a laugh.
*Once, my sister thought that it would be great fun to walk around WalMart speaking in a Scottish accent. She was pretty good! People did quite a few double takes. It was hilarious.*
Our love of "voices" actually is something of my Mother's doing. Every night, Ma would read to us. (do you remember those golden something-or-other books?) When she read, it was never dull and boring. She wasn't the best at voices, but she didn't let that stop her! She would constantly change her voice. We would laugh... and tell her she sounded silly.
Ma was in the hospital for surgery when I was 5 or 6, putting Katie around 4. While she was in the hospital, Daddy took over. It was an interesting couple of days. I can still hear my sister asking Daddy to read a book ("Bambi" - she loved that book.) He hadn't gotten more than a couple sentences in when she pulled her thumb out of her mouth and interrupted him mid sentence to blatantly tell him: "No Daddy, you're doing it wrong! That's not how Momma does it. Momma uses voices. *sticks thumb back in mouth* Do the funny voice." (My sister was nothing, if not a character.)
Over the years, I've read to many children - and I've always used "voices." Yes, to the adults in the room, I sound silly (and to some children.) But I have found that voices are always appreciated. It's like a smile, it will make your audience and you a little happier. Next time you read (or maybe just speak in general), read with voices... (no matter how ridiculous you think you sound) I promise, you'll smile at least a little.

And while you're at it, make co-ordinating faces and gestures.

I dare you.