Sneak Peek!

Wednesday night Jennifer and I attended Holiday Happenings Sneak Peek! We had such a good time - adult girl time, shopping and dinner at Olive Garden....it couldn't get much better than that! Unfortunately the food at Sneak Peak wasn't as great as it was last year but we did have some delicious stuffed mushrooms!! The infamous wrapping paper, tulle & raffia people were there and I was sure to stock up. Can't wait to get everything all wrapped up in my bright colors! I did manage to buy one Christmas present and I found a game day necklace that I have been looking all over Lubbock for....who knew people were buying them from Littlefield!! It was really good to get out baby free and spend some time with an AMAZING friend! If you are in the area and have never been you should definitely attend Holiday Happenings...and if you have been....there are several of the same booths but many new ones....and LOTS of jewelry!!! I can't wait to go back tomorrow and take my mom....maybe this year we can pass up the beautiful blankets without buying one!

Starting last night through today I got a sneak peek of what my days have to hold. My grandmother was finally released from the hospital yesterday and you would think that most people would be excited about getting to go home and eat home cooked meals. Well not my grandmother...her first words were, "Well, I've been waiting for you all day, they said you would be here after lunch." This was around 5:00 and I had spent my afternoon at her house rearranging furniture, waiting on the guys to put together the hospital bed and waiting on my dad to get back from his dr's appointment so that he could watch Isabella while I went to go get my grandmother. Then she decided that she wanted to eat her dinner at the hospital because "she was paying for it!" This is the woman that has griped about the food ever since she has been in there. How they were always bringing her soup and sandwiches, never bring cornbread with the right meal and the gravy tastes like dish soap but damned if she didn't want to eat one more supper there instead of the dinner I would have cooked her when we got home. Does anyone else know someone that has "I'm paying for it so we must take it home with us" syndrome? UGH!! It was so irritating...we had to take every Kleenex box, bed pan, cup, Sweet 'N Low, salt, pepper, bed pads, you name it, we brought it home. She has no idea where she's going to store them or what she's going to do with them but dang it, she paid for it, and it's hers!! Last night she was pretty easy, I pretty much just got her to bed and came home!

Today-now that's a different story!

I headed over a little before 9 after Isabella woke up. When we went in she was still asleep so I took this time to get her medicine straight and separate it in the pill box. I then went to check the potty chair! This is NOT what I signed up for! As most of you know I have a VERY keen sense of smell and an extremely sensitive gag reflex. Come on now....if your family is taking care of you and you have to use a potty chair DO NOT #2 in it!!! I don't like taking care of my own kiddos poop so it is left without saying that I don't want to take care of my grandmother's poop! I then go and wake her up and she tells me that she's been laying there awake for awhile now. Really? I've been here 45 minutes and you've been snoring away but you have been laying here awake?? Hmmm...ok! I get her up and moving, take her in for breakfast, she wanted oatmeal and toast so that's what she got. She eats about half of the oatmeal and tells me it is old. Now most of the time I would take her word on this because you aren't safe if you don't check dates on food at her house. It is not uncommon to find things dated back to 1999 or sometimes before in her cabinets and refrigerators. The thing about this oatmeal is I know who bought it...ME! Therefore, I knew that it was fresh....sure enough, I checked the date and it doesn't expire until this time next year! So tomorrow I will try the unopened box that I will tell her is new (shhhh...don't tell) and see if it tastes better to her or maybe her tastes have just changed as I tried to explain to her earlier today. I then proceeded to talk to her trying to find out what she would like to eat and what she would like for me to cook. I really wasn't offering to be her personal chef but I think that is how she took it. I was very quick to let her know that she would be eating a few things that she didn't like and she would be trying new things and that we wouldn't all be eating what she wanted and I wasn't cooking two different meals at each mealtime. This was after the list of:

-lettuce gives me indigestion

-the hospital ruined me on green beans

-I don't like any seasoning except salt and pepper

-I don't want anything but meat and potatoes in my beef stew

-don't pour gravy on my meat

-I don't like Pizza or Mexican food -- Really?? You've eaten it all of your life, in fact I'm pretty sure about a month before she went into the hospital she asked me to take her to Pizza Hut

-and the list continued.

I won't bore you with the rest of my day...this was just the first 2 hours!! The rest consisted of more of the same and a bit of griping about the bed not being as comfortable as the hospital bed and that she needed a new and bigger T.V. and her being mad because we had to cut her carpet to make things safer for her. This is definitely Day 1 of a LONG ROAD!! So this afternoon I checked into putting her on the waiting list at Legacy Assisted Living in Slaton...and lucky for us the waiting list is less than 10 and they have beautiful facilities, a beauty shop, a soda shop opens daily and there they do have a personal chef. I thought about checking to see how old you have to be to live there??? Maybe now "Dairy Queen" isn't looking so appealing for my mom & dad, however, I must still keep it in my options otherwise I wouldn't have anything to threaten them with!! One look at Legacy and they would be begging me to let them go there now!!

All that said, through the hatefulness, spitefulness, and just flat cantankerous and contrary person that she is, I love my grandmother dearly and we are thrilled that she was finally well enough to come home!!

Oh yeah and yet again I missed Weight Watchers Wednesday, hopefully next week I will make it up to you!! Maybe a full course of recipes!!

Friends Welcome ~ Relatives by Appointment

Friends Welcome ~ Relatives by Appointment

This is a sign I saw in Cato a few weeks ago and i thought it was pretty funny and seemed to be very fitting for my weekend.

Alan went out of town on Wednesday - Friday to Albuquerque for a CLE (Continuing Legal Education). As I've already blogged about our gas line was cut on Tuesday and we didn't have gas running to our house until late Thursday evening. Wednesday my dad came in town to watch Isabella for me while I went to the Dr on Thursday and that way he was here just in case my grandmother got released but unfortunately she is still in the hospital. Isabella had a blast with her Papa as always, they spent lots of time coloring, one of Isabella's favorite activities. He went back to Monahans Friday morning. Thursday my mom and Janell came into town so they could attend and watch Monahans play in the Regional volleyball tournament in Levelland on Friday and Saturday. Friday evening Isabella went with my mom to the volleyball game and seemed to have a really good time. She got to meet the Lobo and eat popcorn--yet another one of her favorites.

I'm not much of a believer in bad things happen on Friday the 13th but unfortunately my Friday the 13th was a bit of a nightmare. I went to feed my grandmother's pet goat and ended up having to look for him and found him dead. Most of you are probably thinking it's just a goat but this wasn't just any goat, this was Oscar. He was a family pet. My grandaddy raised him from when he was a baby he bottled fed him because his mother didn't have anything to do with him. He would ride around the farm in the golf cart next to my grandaddy, when you called him-he would come running and he LOVED apples as much as Isabella loved taking "Okar" apples! The hardest part was having to tell my grandmother about this very sad news on Sunday. She seemed to handle it ok but you could tell that a piece of her died inside. I hate seeing this pain for my grandmother.

On a happier note we spent Saturday morning with my mom and Janell and they left late morning and then we headed to Weight Watchers. I had lost 2.4 lbs. Hopefully this is the start of a trend and I will get over the hump I have been battling for a few months now! Alan is still maintaining of course. Saturday afternoon Alan's mom and sister Kari drove in to spend the night and visit with us. We had a really good time with them. I cooked Courtney's Taco Ring for dinner and then for breakfast we had the choice of Blueberry waffles or Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip waffles and eggs! Sunday, they hung around and played a game of Cranium before leaving mid-afternoon. Isabella definitely kept her Grandma and Aunt "Hairy" on the move and showed them a day in the life of Isabella.

Having a Blast with Grandma and the ball popper!!

Playing Guitar Hero with Daddy!

Posing for a pretend picture!

Loving on Aunt "Hairy"

Playing blocks

After they left, Alan recruited help from Ricky to dig a grave for Oscar and after getting Isabella down for her nap, I mowed the lawn and started the Christmas decorating process. As most of you know, I LOVE Christmas time and I LOVE decorating my house for Christmas and it is a definitely a process....my tree in itself is a process! We got the tree up and I started on the topper but didn't quite finish. I'm hoping to finish our family tree throughout this week and get some of my presents wrapped and then next Sunday work on getting Isabella's tree and my tree in my kitchen put up. Then all that will be left is the stuff that replaces my fall decorations that will come down after Thanksgiving! I Love this season, the weather and all of the Holidays!!

**Just had to share this picture---Friday when Alan got in, he gave Mady a bath because we had found a tick in our house unattached and we just wanted to take precautions. Madisyn was VERY unhappy about the bath which I never understand why when she will lay in water outside. Oh well...she is all clean, shiny and smells good now!!

**Yesterday was my brother and sister-in-laws anniversary. So I would like to wish Christopher & Rachel a Happy 1 year Anniversary! I hope y'all had an awesome day and wish for you many more years of happiness together! We love you two!**

First Dance

Bride & Groom Dancing with Isabella

Mother-Son Dance

Country Living

Country Living....the beauty of the clear blue sky, the land that sets me free, sweetness of the country air, Isabella just playing all around, this is the life I live and have GROWN to love (although I would much rather it be only a few miles less than 10 one way to a grocery store). I only wish today's Country Living was a story to publish in a fancy smancy magazine. However, my version on Country Living actually HOOVERS today!!! Yes I did forget Weight Watchers Wednesday yesterday but it will be back next week. I've been a little preoccupied! Sometimes I think that if it weren't for bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck. Not only is my grandmother still in the hospital and we aren't sure when she's coming home-we just know it could be any day and right now I am her sole 24/7 caretaker, our pediatrician has no available flu vaccinations and doesn't know when they will be getting any--advice: just keep calling back, now I have a toddler that has been running fever and has had crusted green snot all week, AND I haven't had gas in 3 days!!! No gas in my house means no heater and no hot water!! Thank goodness Alan and I were able to squeak out 2 quick warm showers Tuesday night and Alan left for Albuquerque for a CLE on Wednesday morning and won't be home until Friday night! I went into town last night and took a shower at a friend's house and luckily the nights haven't been too cool without a heater. I've played Little House on the Prairie since I've lived out here...foots of snow & no electricity for days and I don't like it one bit. This is about my extent of roughing it, so hopefully they will be able to get all the damage repaired and we will have heat tonight because dishes are stacking up to be washed, I would love to not have to travel for a shower, we have company coming tonight and we will have company in and out until Monday morning AND the weatherman reports there are cold nights approaching us!! So keep your fingers crossed that today is the day they will have the gas line fixed!! I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!!

Doing a Little Birthday Dance!

Today is my dad's birthday!! Happy Birthday Daddy/PaPa!

Hope you have had an amazing day!!

This afternoon as I was going through some things while cleaning in Isabella's room I came across a book that should have been given to her awhile back. It is one of those books that has the places to push on the right hand side and it makes noise. This is a Baby Einstein book so it plays music. She was thrilled...this book didn't need words, the music was enough! She had already asked if she could take it to the hospital tonight when we go to visit Grandmother AND has labeled it her "favorite" book. As most of you know..."favorite" is taken lightly...it's her "favorite" at the moment! Her little dance is too cute to miss!

Weight Watchers Wednesday: Chili-Mac Soup

Unfortunately today's recipe is one that I have not tried but will be trying in the next few days and let you know next Wednesday just how good it is. On the menu tonight is cereal, canned soup or maybe a sandwich; whatever Alan happens to fix when he gets home. I have had a ragging migraine all day and vomiting all morning. I'm sure that is not what you want to hear while you were about to lick your chops from the drool over my delicious waist trimming recipe I'll present you. Sorry, that was just my day...along with a toddler begging for my attention!

Today's recipe comes from the Betty Crocker Website. I was playing around on the site yesterday looking for coupons for the grocery shopping we did last night. By the way, I must brag, last night Alan met us in Lubbock and after 2 hours at Wal-Mart, 12 reusable grocery bags and dropping $200 + on groceries, we FINALLY have food in our house and it will hopefully last us over 2 weeks! The bragging comes in because I made a list before we went, every Sunday I cut coupons, and I searched the Internet before going for coupons that I didn't have and I SAVED $9.10, I think this is the most I have saved using coupons but it could also be because we were out of EVERYTHING. This is also just $1-$2 less than what tonight's recipe that will feed 6 costs to make. I just want you to know if you want to SAVE, it is possible and if you live in a place where they double and triple coupons, you could have much larger savings! Anyways back to the Betty Crocker Website, I really like it! It has a section that you can put what ingredients you have and it will pull up a recipe for what you have in your cabinet. It also has a section where you can choose from the Betty Crocker Products and pick recipes that include those products. This section is where my inspiration came from. I'm a sucker for cheap meals and our family is a big fan of Hamburger Helper and when using lean beef the Weight Watchers points range from 5-7 depending on the flavor. However, sometimes Hamburger Helper gets old as is....so tonight I will tell you how to spice up your Hamburger Helper and still have a low cost meal.

Chili-Mac Soup

1 lb lean ground beef (93/7)

1 small onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper

1 fresh Roma tomato, chopped

1 jalapeno, chopped

1 garlic clove, pressed

5 cups hot water

1 box Hamburger Helper Chili Macaroni

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 can (14.5 oz) Hunt's Diced Tomatoes

1 can (11 oz) Green Giant Mexicorn, undrained

The recipe calls for 2 tbsp of pitted ripe olives (I don't like olives therefore they will be left out)

**NOTE** I do alter most recipes I find to make them more fitting to Weight Watchers and to fit what products I have in my cabinet as to waste as little food as possible.

1. Cook beef, bell pepper, Roma tomato, jalapeno and garlic clove over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain and put in a stew/stock pot.

2. Stir in hot water, sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box), chili powder, garlic salt and tomatoes. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in uncooked pasta (from Hamburger Helper box), corn and olives. Cover; cook 10 minutes longer.

Serves 6

WW pts: 5

**For an added touch serve over homemade baked seasoned corn tortilla strips, sprinkle with fat free shredded cheese and if you like, add a dollop of fat free sour cream.

For the original: Chili-Mac Soup Recipe

The Feeling of Being Productive

Yesterday I definitely didn't have the feeling of being productive. Since the time change Isabella now rises with the sun and and is up by 7-7:30 and although she didn't go to bed until after midnight on Saturday, she was still up by 7:30. We managed to keep her cuddling in our bed watching cartoons until about 9:30.

We didn't make it to church yesterday so I spent the rest of the morning sorting through the horrendous mess of nuts, bolts, washers, screws and nails that is called the hardware for Isabella's swing set. Yep, you've got it, it still isn't put up and there isn't any improvement from the last pictures posted BUT the hardware is all sorted in little baggies marked with what Step # they go to and HOPEFULLY since we have a free weekend this coming weekend, that will be our project, along with cleaning out our storage building and getting Christmas things ready to come in for decoration. Alan headed out to work on yet another project that needed attended to. OUR SWIMMING POOL! Ricky came out to help and they scrubbed, emptied and started the putting away process of the pool until next year!

My only accomplishment besides the sorting of the hardware is I fixed chicken salad for lunch and homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner. Oh Wait....I did manage to get the guys to put up the shelf that Alan and I built to go over my stove. So I sorted through my spice cabinet and moved some things around so I could get the rest of my recipe books put in the cabinet. I think the shelf looks really good and will be very functional.

My dad is also still in town and he was even very productive. He managed to repair the lawnmower and did some mowing out in the pasture for us which is very much appreciated. So all in all there was a definite sign of productiveness around the farm, I just hope that today and this week I can make a bigger dent in my To Do List than I did last week. Hope everyone has an AMAZING start to November.

Trick or Treat, Smell My Flower!

I definitely had a green thumb with this beautiful, delicate flower!!

We started our Saturday out by making a visit to the hospital to let Grandmother see Isabella all dressed up for Halloween. While there Isabella and her daddy were being silly so I took this opportunity to capture a few pictures.

We then headed to the Tech game where Doege kept us holding our breath, Potts made a much better showing (maybe sitting the sideline did him some good), we spent at least 30 minutes in OFFICIAL REVIEWS, Pirates & Fat Girlfriends were the most popular costumes of the crowd, and I'm definitely glad we stayed for the whole game (4th quarter was worth it)!

My mom left the game early to run a few errands so she headed over to Ricky's where my dad was watching Isabella and got Isabella ready to go Trick or Treating! She took her to the first Trunk or Treat and we weren't able to make it there fast enough...Isabella was not happy because we had her "punkin". With the aid of a Merle Norman sack she managed to sweep that Trunk or Treat and we met them at the 2nd one with her "punkin" in hand. She was thrilled. It was so fun seeing her reactions to different costumes. She loved the cow, EMO (Elmo), a skunk, a ladybug, a butterfly and most things happy. There were a few wolves, adults with their faces painted and mimes that she definitely had second thoughts about taking candy from. She would say Trick or Treat right up until we got to the trunks. She would then hold out her "punkin" and whisper, "Thank you!" Since when does my kiddo talk quietly, much less whisper? I've been working on whispering in church and haven't managed, maybe I just need to have everyone dress up and offer candy! The last Trunk or Treat we attended had several bouncy houses and a black light puppet show. Isabella thought she was in heaven! She LOVES bouncy houses and slides! After finishing up at the Trunk or Treats we made the rounds to several of our friends to show off our precious little flower! Isabella knew when we were at the last stop, she started stripping out of her costume and it was definitely time for jammies! We had a very Happy Halloween and I think Isabella had a wonderful time...can't wait for next year, I have a feeling the excitement only gets better.

Isabella definitely loved the candy....so much that she hid under the table to pick out her next "nack"! We hope everyone had a very Happy and Safe Halloween and didn't eat too much candy that it gave them a tummy or tooth ache!