Another Fantastic Weekend

Weekends are even better than ever when you have three days instead of two--a bonus. At least this one has been for me. I was off today for a school vacation day--MLK Day. How pleasant. Now I've taught for many years and school has been closed this day many times, but only the kids got off. Teachers always had to go in for in-service. Today was a first. I got to stay home and catch up on some things and rest.

First of all, I did not sleep Saturday night so Sunday morning it was really hard to get up. I yawned and fought to stay awake during the morning sermon. And yesterday afternoon was very exciting (which I'll get to in a minute) so I did not get a nap. Last night, I crashed and sleep all night until about 7:30 this morning. It was wonderful. I enjoyed late coffee and then hit the ground running. I've got a lot done today, but with planning, I didn't wear myself out. Since I have a timer on my phone, I devised a plan. I'd work on the computer for an hour doing some of my ASU internship assignments and when the timer went, I'd take a 30 minute break and do something household related. I almost made a game of it to see how much I could accomplish. It was amazing. I completed 4 ASU projects, picked up our bedroom, straightened the kitchen, emptied the dishwasher and started reloading, put a roast with potatoes and carrots in the oven for dinner, dusted the furniture and run over the floors. Pretty productive, I'd say. And. . . I didn't give myself a headache working on the computer all day. I think I'll try this method again another day.

Yesterday was a great day. The ladies from our church hosted a baby shower for little Ben. Micah and Rhyne drove in Saturday. Sunday morning, Micah slipped in and joined me for the morning worship. We all went to Grandmother's for lunch (and I might add she outdid herself--it was delicious), and then we went to the shower. Micah got so many precious clothes, quilts, and miscellaneous items. The hostesses presented her with a Pac-and-Play, and there was a number of gift cards.

You may remember that last week I reported on a secret weekend project. Well, here it is. I'm rather sentimental and I think Micah is a little bit as well. I wanted to give her something that had been hers to enjoy with Ben. I retrieved the shawl that was a gift to me that I wrapped her in to bring home from the hospital. It had several spots and needed to be laundered. I set out last weekend to get it "Ben" ready. It is crocheted with a fine silk thread and had to be hand washed, air dried. This is the first go-round.It looked pretty good, but I found a few more little problem spots that I either didn't get out or missed the first time. After the second washing, I felt it was ready to go.

I also wanted Micah to have her baby ring that she wore home from the hospital. Perhaps Ben can wear it too if his momma so chooses. And lastly, a little something new for our baby boy.

Uncle Bryan also had something special for his little nephew. His momma was so thrilled.

And Grandmother enjoyed the day with us as well.

Here are just a few baby shower pictures. There are lots more and perhaps I'll share some more of them a little later.

Marcia

Weekend Projects

Duty called on Monday, January 2, and I headed back to school and hit the ground running. Although hard to believe, we started last week thinking forward and making plans for enrollment, registration, and all sorts of things actually preparing for the next school year. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I didn't leave school until 5 o'clock. I felt that I got more work done in those two after school hours with the doors locked and the lights out, all by myself than the regular 8 hour day. Thursday I left early because I had an appointment with a new eye doctor. That's might be a story for another day. Friday, I was at work by 7:30 a.m. and didn't get home until 8:30 p.m. I was asleep by 9:00. Ballgames started at 4 o'clock (4 of them) and I didn't even come home. I was a tired puppy. I still like my job.

That being said, I was ready to enjoy the weekend. I didn't have to go anywhere Saturday and I enjoyed taking it easy, not having to get dressed, and just doing what I felt like doing. I decided I had a few projects that I wanted to tackle.

First of all, Collin got a wall plaque for Christmas. It's a kitchen piece and we knew where we wanted to put it; I just hadn't had the time to make it happen. I had leaned it up against the wall on the bar and it was time to get it in place and make some kind of attractive arrangement to go with it.

The wrought iron piece was in place and I wanted to leave it and add this novelty. I love everything with some kind of greenery so I brought back this silk in the bottle. Micah gave me this "Scentsy" candle for Christmas and I love it. It isn't really a candle, but it melts wax for a great aroma. The yellow color is not only a perfect match for my kitchen as an accessory, but it pulls out the yellow in the plaque. She also bought this plate for me some years ago, and I moved it from another spot with its matching colors to complete the setting. Pretty good, huh? I'm very pleased. I love to move things around and use them in a new spot. It makes you feel like you have a totally new everything when you may just have one or two items. We are really enjoying this. If you can't read the plaque, it says, "Many people have eat in this kitchen and gone on to lead NORMAL lives." Second on my to-do list was to spray paint this mirror and hang it over the dining table. I love decorating with mirrors. They totally open up a small space and make it appear much larger than it really is. Again a recycle. This mirror came off Micah's dresser. Perhaps you remember from earlier in the summer I spray painted the first piece, moved it to the living room, and now use it to store my table linens, place mats, and napkins.

The mirror is the matching piece now hanging in the informal dining area.

I started by covering the mirror with newspaper, sprayed it in the shop, and wah-lah. . .

my finished work of art. I'm really enjoying this and am very pleased.

I also worked on another very special project, but I'll keep it a secret for now.

Collin got in on the action as well. He had a number of things he wanted to do, but here he is setting the atomic clock with temperature measurements that he got for Christmas. He hadn't had time to get it set, but now we know the time and temp, both inside and out.

It was fairly quiet with just the two of us at home. Bryan was gone with the ASU band to Mobile for the GoDaddy.com Bowl Game. With church on Sunday, our two days went by fast and it was back to work on Monday. This coming weekend also holds lots of excitement for the family. We'll post with more photos as soon as we can.

The Recycle Queen,

Marcia

Holiday Year End Wrap-Up

We've had a wonderful Christmas holiday and a full two weeks. And now, we're just hours away from the new year. I'll probably be asleep when the clock actually hits 12 midnight. Now for a little recap as we look ahead to the new year.

During the week prior to Christmas, I spent several days finishing last minute shopping, baking a few goodies for everyone to eat, wrapping last minute packages, cleaning a bit and getting ready for company, and taking in a few RCS basketball games at the NEA Tournament.

Bryan was already home for the holidays and spending quite a bit of time duck hunting while we waited in anticipation that Micah and Rhyne would get home as well. Our formal celebrating began on Friday night as we enjoyed dinner with the Putman's. Here are a few shots of the evening.

I've prepared Christmas Eve brunch for my family for several years now. We've began inviting the Putman's to come join our family for this celebration.

Since Christmas fell on Sunday this year, we went to the morning service and then everyone gathered at Mom and Dad's. We started off with lunch and then moved on to enjoying Christmas presents.

After celebrating with my folks we headed to Brookland to celebrate with the Elder's.

Last stop of the day was back at our our house.

Micah and Rhyne were at our house a couple of more days. Bryan joined Micah and me shopping at the mall the day after Christmas. Tuesday, Micah and Rhyne had individual plans as did Bryan and myself. I went to a book signing and Barnes and Noble related to RCS, then Bryan joined me for another RCS basketball game at the NEA Tournament. We called Micah and Rhyne and all joined up for supper at TaMolly's. Wednesday, they packed and headed home to New Orleans. I began taking down Christmas, packing it up and cleaning house. By Friday afternoon, things were almost back to normal.

T0day we spent most of the day in the yard raking leaves and burning. It looks much better, but Collin and Bryan will finish up Monday. It's hard to believe that it is sunny and 60 on the last day of December.

Bryan went hunting early this morning. Look at the trophy goose he got.

He had a great time and was pretty proud of this.

And last, allow me to introduce you to what is probably going to be the newest members of our family. They showed up last night and Collin has taken them in. They have made themselves at home pretty quickly. They aren't named, but we'll keep you posted.

Here's wishing you a Happy New Year.

Marcia

PS. A few individual pictures were deleted due to technical difficulties, so I had to redo. They are the ones at the top.

Christmas Hustle and Bustle

The last few days have been very exciting. I don't know if I accomplished any work at school during the week, but it was certainly festive. Beginning on Monday, parents began bringing in all sorts of trays filled with goodies to eat. The counter in our little office kitchenette area was covered. The staff was in an out all day and everyone would grab a snack when they had a minute and were passing, myself included. Come Tuesday, there were fresh trays when there were still a few leftovers from Monday. The week went on like this. Every day there were new trays delivered. I don't know if I have ever seen so much food. I certainly never experienced anything like this in public school I wish I had made a picture, but alas, I didn't think about it until it was too late.

Not only did we have all kinds of food, but presents began arriving on my desk from first one and then another. Some from families, some from the staff, and the board presented everyone with a whole ham. Guess what I'm serving for Christmas Eve dinner to my family!
This is a picture of some of the gifts I received. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful this kindness was and how meaningful. Once again, maybe in elementary, but as a high school teacher, I didn't receive gifts at school. Included in the loot were two beautiful poinsettias, a lighted figurine of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, two books, three beautiful tree ornaments, necklace and matching errings, a bowl along with bath gel and lotion, a vase and towels, a gift card to Long Horn's Steak House, and a cheese board with dip mixes.

I love this board. I am drawn to anything with my initial on it and this is a favorite Bible verse that I have used as a print in another part of my house. The spreader has a cross engraved on the top edge.

My car was loaded down when I left Friday afternoon with all my gifts, the ham, and a variety of left over goodies. Bryan had to help me get everything in the house. On Saturday morning, Collin took me shopping in Southhaven. We discovered a mall there and spent the day.

We began at Gordman's and found several things. It isn't actually attached to the mall. Of all the stores there, we found a Kirkland's which is one of my favorites and I either have to travel to Memphis or go see Micah to shop at one. We found several things there as well. There were lots of fun places to browze and we had a successful day.

No day would be complete without a good meal and Collin chose his favorite place for his part of the trip.

There was lots of Christmas items in every store and outside of Kirkland's, we found this sidewalk display. Collin caught sight of these stockings and he said that we should buy one for Ben. It would take a big one to hold all his presents. I know Micah will be so excited.

These last three days have been very hectic. I went out Monday to finish some last minute shopping, but plans changed, and basically, I bought a ton of groceries. Yesterday, I went to town again, and this time finished my shopping. I left out early so I could meet my buddies for lunch.

Meet Jeannie and Vera. We met at Dairy Queen and exchanged our gifts. Our visit was short and sweet, but we squeezed it in. I had to get to Paragould to get my oil changed and get back home to meet up with Bryan. We went back to town to let him pick out one of his Christmas presents that I couldn't buy without him.

Today, I have wrapped and wrapped presents. I think just about everything is under the tree that is going to get there. I have one more package to finish up on Christmas Eve. The elf is still working on just one. I've also done laundry and began trying to straighten and clean my house a little. There have been boxes, bags, tissue paper, ribbons, and bows everywhere. Not to mention, we have camo all over our house. Bryan has been duck hunting every day and having the time of his life. There is no need to put any of this away if you're just going to use it again tomorrow. That would be a silly waste of energy. Besides, everything needs to dry out. I also have a boot dryer and other accessories in my laundry room. You have to pick your steps carefully. I'm really not complaining; it's good to have him home for a while and believe me, you can tell he is here.

We are anticipating the arrival of the rest of our family. Micah and Rhyne should be headed to Arkansas tomorrow. We have lots of family plans; dinner Friday night with the Putman's and Christmas Eve brunch for my family and the Putman's.

Tomorrow will be another busy day. Still have more cleaning to do and I need to squeeze in a girl's basketball tournament game at ASU. On Friday the RCS boys play. Then Collin and I have haircuts tomorrow. Sometime, I have cooking to do. It's a wonderful life.

Marcia