A Christmas Gathering

I had so much fun tonight at 'A Christmas Gathering'. It was so fun. We started the night with shopping in the little area full of goodies. I got my mom and mother in law some stuff. Ryan something and a book. Then, we went around to different tables and tasted lots of yummy foods! Finally, we all went in to the Sanctuary/Auditorium, and they began the show with some beautiful music. A photographer talked about taking photos and then how to display them, for Christmas. After that we had a tutorial about jewelry, cooking and finally gifts. I was a bit lit Oprah's show where she gives away stuff. We got a big metal tub, a Two's Company insulated tote, a pickle for the tree and a bling bling ring. WOW

This is my friend Sheila. She works with me at school teaching second grade too!

And there is my partner in crime! Little town big life! Yep there we are tearing up the town.

What fun it was. So relaxing and just an enjoyable time with a group of Christian women of various faith, but there to enjoy the season and thank God, for all the blessings we had received by His grace alone.

The Church is in Broken Arrow and is quite big and I would guess somewhat 'progressive', bands, coffee shop, lots of fun stuff for the kids. What a wonderful thing for them!

Hub and I go to a very 'liturgical' Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa- Boston Avenue. I really like the conservative teaching and liturgy, but its wonderful to share the love of Christ with women everywhere.

So, that is what I did tonight. I have a wedding rehearsal tomorrow night, a wedding Saturday night and somewhere in there we want to decorate the house for Christmas!

Whew, where does the time go...

tootle loo,

Im excited!

Tomorrow night I am going to A Christmas Gathering! I have wanted to go since last year. Its held at a Church in BA. Its a cross between major craft show and Oprah's giveaway. I'm so excited! Oh, I already said that! They will have things to buy and things to eat and things to see and things to bring home and songs and a speaker about the Christmas season! I am so excited! Yep, I am.

I will tell you alllllllllll about it tomorrow night! Yep, I am so excited!

Right now I am craving cinnamon toast. Go to go have me some , then sit in bed and read my Cottage Living and go to sleep, cause tomorrow night will be sooooooooo fun for me!

tootle loo.

What do you think

Tell me, what do you think about this statement:

Children in second grade should not get a D or an F. The teacher should modify their work so that they can achieve, even though they do not have a disability that inhibits their academic success. In other words, if a child is making a D or F, the teacher should cut their work load to make it easier to get a passing grade.

A second grade teacher should teach both 1st and 2nd grade curriculum in the 2nd grade so that all children achieve.

What do you think about this?


tootle loo,

Monday madness

I have nothing notable today. Woke up, got dressed, taught 2nd grade, took the uhaul back, went to supper, went to Kohl's, went to Lowe's. Not much for a Monday!

So, I borrowed fill- ins from Tuesday Update:


1. I enjoy: my ya-ya's, my family, reading, crafting, decorating

2. Blogging satisfies my need to: let my family know whats going on in my world.

3. When I look at a full moon: I think of all the people that have walked under the same moon, like Christ, Kennedy,Dad, Alexandria the Great, Washington, etc.

4. If I want a snack: Peanut butter and a green apple.

5. The most recent movie I saw: Evelyn

6. If only: I could say poof and talk to my Dad. (on a lighter note, poof and the Christmas stuff would be up and the house clean)

7. And as for the weekend: next weekend, I want to put up the Christmas stuff and get the house all decorated! Oops, I have a wedding at 6:00! Oh well, I will get it done!

tootle loo,

Time is flying

Christmas is coming...

And its coming really fast!

Wow- where did this weekend go. We had a great time, but I could use another day to catch up here at home. I want to decorate the house and get things ready for Christmas.

I have been listening to the radio and the Christmas music is on and I an now in the mood!

I always decorate the family room tree with things from family trips and stuff the boys have made at school, church and general heirlooms. The living room tree is smaller and sits just by the window. Its decorated in whatever mood I'm in at the time! The boys always had a tree in their rooms, but I am not doing that this year.

Oh, wow, lets get going.

But, it looks like maybe next weekend, as we are busy everynight except for Tues. Maybe we can get it out and ready this weekend.

I got this light at IKEA, yippee skippee! Hubs will put it in the bathroom this weekend. I cant wait. It will look sooooooooooooooo great in there.

Ok, better get going.... I need to get things ready for school tomorrow.

tootle loo,

Honey, we're home!

No pic tonight...
We got home from Ryan's about 7ish. It took us longer coming home because we had a uhaul trailer behind the Jeep. We brought home some furniture Ryan didnt need in TX. Now its in his bedroom and I dont even want to walk by there... its a mess.

We had a great time in Frisco. We ate, shopped, and had such a great time. I got the little chandelier at IKEA, and got some stuff at Sam Moon. It was really crowded at Sam Moon, so I grabbed a couple of pashmina type wraps for Church. Its SOOO cold at Church! I didnt get any jewelry or purses! I know thats a shock. We attacked Eddie Bauer... all of us got some cute stuff.
Lance got a sweater, Ryan got a shirt and sweater, Hubs got a sweater and I got a brown vest with a fur type collar. I also got a Christmas present from Ryan---- a new watch from Eddie Bauer. I put pic up later.

I am off to bed, enjoy your Sunday!

tootle loo,

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

I am thankful for:

my hubs and boys,

family,

friends,

church and my ability to worship freely,

my cozy home,

lots of food to eat,

health.

those who are protecting us from harm,

the ability to work,

I am thankful for so many blessing that have been given to me. Where oh where, would we all be if not for the Grace of God each and everyday!

Thanks to those military families that are celebrating without a family member.

Its often so hard at holiday time for some people that do not have the family or comforts of a nice warm home. Give them a smile.

Its often stressful when you have so much you think you have to do for the holidays. Stop and think what really needs to be done and what doesnt. Give youself a smile.

There will be some people that get up at 3:00 am to get the bargain. Geeze... not me, People will shove and fight for 'stuff'. Give them a smile.

The Santa, the Bell Ringer and the door greeters... give them a smile.

Your family.. give them a big fat kiss.

If someone you know has lost a family member this year, this will be the start of the hard holiday season. Take them to a movie, take over supper, send a card. Give them a smile.

Its been the past two years that I have really thought about my Uncle Jack. I always thought he was just a moody eccentric uncle. He and my Gramma never had a relationship. Gramma and Grandpa divorced when mom and Unc were little. The court gave my mom to Gramma, and unc to grandpa. Unc never came around to see Gramma, only us and not really very often.

When he was dying in the hospital, I was talking to him about forgivness. I wasnt sure about his religion and relationship with God. We were talking about asking God for forgiveness and he said that he would never ever forgive Gramma. I asked him why they never got along. He told me that 'she gave him away, because she didnt want him'. Oh my gosh, my unc lived his entire life thinking that Gramma didnt want him! That is so not the truth, but that is what he was told by some family members! Can you believe that? I told him that was not true, but he had doubts, so,m y mom was about 6 hours away and came quickly to tell him the truth. He realized that he had lived all his 70 years hearing a lie and never had a relationship with his mother! He died a few days later and I just can't get it out of my head, especially this time of the year. How can people that say they love you, be so mean and lie! My mom was able to explain to Gramma the truth about what he was told by me aunts. Thankfully, that was before her dementia got worse.

So, it guess I want to say, to tell each other how much you love them and tell them the truth.

Be safe, Ill be back to blog land on Sunday.

tootle loo,

tootle loo,

Look,look, I found a book

Oh, my heavens to Betsy! Can you believe that I found this book at the grocery store, while I was getting stuff to take to Dallas Go figure, 'the grocery store'.

You know how much I love , love, love the 'South'! With all my heart, sweet tea, magnolias, porch swings and coconut pie! Yep, I found the book to read this month!

I am going to get everything done tomorrow and then sit down and start reading!

Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the time you have with family and friends!

Drive safe and be safe!

tootle loo,

By the way... what in heavens sake is 'The Bachelor' thinking?

Oui Oui, I prefer French...

Yep, I'm a french manicure kind of girl.

I just really like the clean fresh look of a french manicure. I generally get 'pink and white' nails. The solar kind that is pink gel and then white gel stuff. But, I only had the pink filled last time and the white has really grown out. It was looking tacky and I cant have tacky nails. So, I got out the nail polish and slapped it on until after Thanksgiving! I can last that long. Or maybe until Wednesday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMER!

My goodness, my Grammer is 92 yrs old today. Who would have thought she would be with us at that age. Will she is with us most days! Some days she is in her own little world, havin a party or a thunderstorm. Wow, when she is cranky and not sure of what is going on she is REALLY having a thunderstorm!

Hubs sent me to get the front tire checked before we head out to Dallas. Oops, I had to get 4 new tires. Can you believe that 4 tires cost $529.00! Yep, I about crapped out! Thats some good shopping money in Dallas. wah, wah,wah! Oh, well at least we have good tires.

Have a good Tuesday.

tootle loo,

But I like pink better

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

Take this test >

Football Weekend

Wow, what can I say... we actually did not fall apart the 4th quarter, and won the ballgame! That is pretty good guys. Its really tough to be a 'Cowboy'. We dont have the best football team but you can bet most of the people that follow and cheer for the 'pokes' are tried and true OSU fans and alums. Our BB team is good and then there is wrestling! We ROCK in those activities.
I had a really great 4 years there and would never trade them for anything. Ride em Cowboys!


WAY TO GO TU... I do have a soft spot where Army is concerned! I appreciate all of those that are protecting this country for our freedom. Ryan was in the Class of 04 and its an awesome Academy, BUT we played a super ballgame!

Just love to shop at the outlet over by SMU... I only need a FEW things at IKEA!!! Right.

Yep, it was a very quiet and sane Sunday at the ole castle. We- I was quite lazy all weekend. We decided not to go to OKC. I am soooooooo tired lately, so we stayed here. Hubs worked on mulching the yard and I finished my glass collage necklaces.

The house is clean, the floor are vac'd and shined and the carpets are steamed. The bathrooms are squeaky clean and its time to get it dirty all over again.

I made some stuff- tree skirt and table runner to take to Ryan's this weekend. I also got him a tree and all the trimmings this weekend too! We will be going to Frisco this week for Thanksgiving. I have some places to go while I am there. The Horchow outlet is always good. Its over by SMU, so Im thinking maybe I get some Bubbas Fried Chicken ! mmmmmm it's so yummy. We were there a few years ago. I also need to check out Home Goods, Container Store and of course IKEA! I plan to do that all on Friday morning!!! Up and at'em early. Will not really early. I dont do the 5:00 am shopping. I did it one time with hubs a few years ago, but now I am doing most of it by internet. Love to shop in my jammies.

tootle loo,

Plum Tuckerd Out

Friday...
7:00- get up to coffee in bed... everyday perk from Hubs! OOps head cold - I feel like crap!
7:45- get to school
8:15- 'rise & shine' with 300 kids
8:30- move all the desk to the side of the room and get ready for 9 classes to rotate in and out of my classroom. We are celebrating Oklahoma's Centennial!
9:00- start rotation... 'cow chip' toss... {read post a couple days back}
9:20- new group of 23 start all over
9:40- new group of 20 start all over
10:00- new group of 20 start all over
10:20- new group of 20 start all over
10:20-10:30- potty break with kids
10:45- get my own kids back until 12:30
12:30- start rotation again...
12:30-12:50- new group of 20 start over again
1:00-1:20- new group of 20 start over again
1:20-1:40- new group of 20 start over again
1:45-2:15 - take my kids out to see 'farm animals' on the playground. Cows, donkey, goat, chicken, mule, attempt to milk the cow! grossssssssss
2:15-2:30- recess, I get to potty alone!
2:30-3:00 get the room put back together with the help of 20 children!!!!
3:00-3:30 dismiss kids... (get rid of the little angels)
3:30-5:00 Peace and quiet, do a load of laundry, assess grocery needs, take a 10 minute nap,
5:00-9:00 dinner at LoneStar, groceries, put away groceries.

10:00- WHAT A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Rest of the weekend--------- not a thing!

Head cold is now in the ear and throat! I know, Im a big fat whiner, but it was a day from ????
I will be nicer tomorrow, or at least by Sunday.

Tootle loo,

Wednesday wisdom

Little Town Big Life sent this to me at school. So, I will send it on to all of you that read my blog. Send me a link... I want to read what your answers are!


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate with marshmallow creme! mmmmmmm

2. Does Santa wrap your presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa sets them under
under the tree.

3. Colored or white lights? White

4. Do you hang mistletoe? no

5. When do you put up your decorations? I would spend the day making Chili, we would
put up decorations, then go to Utica Square for Lights On.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? My mom fixed this salad with grapes, cranberries,
nuts, whipped topping, and other stuff. Love, love , love it! My mother in law also
fixes the same thing. When we were little my sister and I had to cut and seed the
the grapes!
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Begging my dad to open 1 present on Christmas Eve.
we always knew he would, but the begging was part of Christmas.

8. When & how did you learn the truth about Santa? I cant remember, but if you dont
believe you dont get presents in our house!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? When I was little, just the one from begging, When
raising the boys, we would go to Church, then to mother and father in law's to eat
spaghetti. We opened presents at their house that night.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I usually put up 3 or 4. The boys had one each
in their bedroom, I had one in the kitchen, and one in the family room. Now, 1 in the
family room and maybe one in the living room window.

11. Snow:: Love it or Hate it? Love, love, love it. School is out and BFF-Pam and I get
bundled up, warm up the nearest vehicle with 4wh drive and set out to Target
and Starbucks!
12. Can you ice skate? No, I am an accident waiting to happen! I dont have an athletic bone
in my body!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My easy bake oven. I can still smell them coming out
coming out of the little oven.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays? Family and Church.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? My moms apple pie. Lots of apples, sugar, butter,
more butter, cinnamon, brown sugar and just a bit more butter for extra measure!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? When we had a 'real' tree, hubs and the boys
would go down to the local HS Band Tree stand and buy a tree. I would stay at home
and make chili. They would come home with the BIGGEST tree.Hubs wold cut off the
bottom and bring it in! We would eat and decorate. The ornaments were on the bottom
and as the boys grew the ornaments got higher and higher. I was soooooooooo hard for
me not to redo the tree! Sometimes I did just a bit.

17. What is on top of your tree? An Angel that hubs picked out.

18. Which do you like best--giving or receiving? I love to find just that perfect gift that will
make someone gasp with excitement! BUT, I" love to be the gasper, too!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Joy To The World, but I like all of them.

20. Do you like candy canes? Not really

OK friend and family lets go for your favs.

tootle loo

sniffle, sniffle, sore throat

This afternoon, the sniffling began! By tonight its really here. sniffle, sniffle, sore throat. Yep,I'm sure I graded a paper with 'snot' or 'slobber' on it. Geeze !!!!
I had 4 kids with strep last week. Like I have'nt had enough Cirpro for a year!

Yep, I got some new outfits. This is my favorite. I wore it to school today with the footless tights. Hubs and I had a dinner at TU tonight. He came home before I had changed, just stood and stared at me! He wondered if I was dress for the dinner! No, I have been to 'charm school' twice. I can put on my little black dress, Tiffany's necklace and bracelet! He just about crapped in his pants thinking I was already dressed to go. hahaha I didnt laugh!This is what I wore to The dinner at TU. We donate $$'s to TU each month, so we were invited to the 'donors' dinner. I'm sure we are at the bottom of the list, but none the less we were there. The longer the night went on the more achey I was getting. Hubs wanted to go watch the TU girls play BB, me not quite so much. So, we came home. Hope they won. Anywho, I did dress in my little black wooly sweater dress and black heel boots. " Hot mama", not 'funky mama'!!!

Dinner was good, dessert even better. wine was the best ! yep 2 glasses and it time for bed.

tootle loo

Christmas thoughts

I'm having some Christmas thoughts! Yep, I sure am. My kiddos are 23 and 25. My sisters kids are 23 and 27. So, the whole 'Santa' thing ... we have done! Now my nephew has a fiancee with 2 little ones, but you know how Santa can find anyone on Christmas Eve, cause he has that special magical ball that tell him where everyone is located and that special key to get in... you know the drill. So where was I, oh yea, This is a cabin in SE Okla. Its near Broken Bow. It has 3 bedrooms, sleep 12 full kitchen, TV, DVD etc. My niece and her cowboy live in Houston, Ryan is in Dallas, my sister is in Ozark, mom is in OKC and we are in Cville. This would be perfecto!!!

Its less than $200. per night. Take our food and have a ball! Wouldn't that be FUN!
I have only spoken with my sister, so lets see which family members actually read my blog...

Leave a comment and let me know what you think. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT... so there we are. Don't you?

Fishing, ATV's, rocking in the chair, walking, and in complete luxury!!!! Yep, Im sold.

Sunday Craft Corner

This is what I did today. I had already put them together. I only needed to solder them, attach jump rings and whatever I could find for the bottom part. On the back of the pink one, its says, 'pink ribbons', the front of the other one says 'sister', the back of it says 'cake is for supper'.

OK, this did not turn out the way I has hoped. I made some necklaces/ornaments uising glass and then soldering the two pieces. This one is for a gift. I bought a little square silver medallion at my favorite store in Owasso. Surcee'. It is the Cuuuuuutest store. I want one of everything in there for Christmas. So, this says on the front 'reach for the moon' on the back is it says' you might just catch a star'. Its for PEO, and the gift had to be 'a star'. Its really cute I put glitter and seed beads in it.

These are some that I have soldred, but have not attached jump rings. i will do that tomorrow. i will hang a crystal from the bottom.

Oops, they were turned sideways and I didnt rotate it before I posted. Oh well just turn your head. The first one is on crown paper and says 'queen'. the second is on santa paper and says 'believe' and the last is on black paisley and says 'queen

I went to Wal Mart this afternoon to get some stuff. I was in the Christmas decs and saw the neatest ornaments. They were black and silver. I am going to go back to tomorrow and get a tree and ornaments etc for Ryan. This will look so cool at his house. I hope Moey-his dog, doesn't eat the oranaments!

tootle loo

Centennial Week

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OKLAHOMA

This week we will celebrate Oklahoma's Centennial. Friday is the big day at school. We will celebrate by rotating classes all day. My room is 'cowchip' toss. Yep, leave it to me to come up with that.

I guess it goes back to my summers in Buffalo, Ok. My Great Grandma and Papa lived there and we would go every summer for 2-3 weeks. When we were older- about 12 we would ride the bus from OKC to Buffalo. Wow, that was a treat. We were threatened within a inch of our life if we got off or talk to strangers. I don't remember doing that much, maybe a couple of times. Papa would take us to Dobey Springs for a picnic. He would tell us all types of stories about life in the rural part of Ok. and I remember the first time he took us to get some dried 'cow poop' and we would throw them to see whose would go the farthest.

We had a great time in Buffalo with lots of wonderful memories. I guess that is one reason I really like small towns to raise a family. We knew everyone and they would know we were coming to visit. I look a lot like my mom's side of the family. I would go walk to town and they would know I was a McVicker, my sister would be with me and they would want to know who my friend was, she looks like dad's side.

Ok, so enought reminsing! I could go on forever about those trips, life was so innocent. We have wonderful memories of Grandma and Papa!

So here's to you Papa, I'm making round bean bags and will tell the 8 rotations I will have, about the 'olden days' when we threw 'cow poop' for FUN!

Love and hugs to all of you up there in heaven... I miss you all so much, yes, I am being a good girl! Well, most of the time. But you never did tell me what 'good girl' meant! hahaha - I guess that means I get to decide!

tootle loo,

Wonderful Movie

We watched the best movie tonight, well I did. Hubs fell asleep . It is set in Ireland 1950's. The story is about a family and the trials and situations after their mother leaves. The Irish law is that the children are taken to an orphanage. Great Movie... See it !

tootle loo,

Saturday morning jammies

Looking through at hubs in Budapest!!!

Its actually 10:38 and I am still in my jammies!!!!

I need to clean, do laundry, run to the store and go by a craft show. Guess I better get going. Hubs is at a meeting at Church, so all is quiet here.

Lets see how much I actually get done today. hahaha

Boston Avenue Downtown Fall Hoedown

Thats my little quarterback... Isn't he a cutie pie. The grown ups beat the JR High .

Yep, his momma taught him to save the little kids...

Not much news tonight. We were at a meeting until late.

Tootle loo

Pumpkin Cheesecake...

And that was the dessert.

I had a wedding meeting at BA, Hubs had a meeting at TU, so we met at Olive Garden for 'date night'. Salad, bread, spaghetti with meatsauce, THEN, yep I kept some of the spaghetti for tomorrow's lunch and ordered the pumpkin cheesecake. Oh my goodness!!!! Yep, I was worth every little calorie. I was delishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I have been scanning all these cute little blogs that have named their homes! So I want to name the house. Not just an ordinary name... no, a good one. Like maybe : 'Queenie's cottage', 'Hill Cottage' ( we sit on a hill)- that's way boring, 'Maple Leaf Cottage'- we have tons of Maple trees,

'rocking chair cottage'- nay, hmm I dont know.... Give me some ideas...

Now, lets see there will be a vote and a treat for the best name. Tomorrow I will take a pic of the from and back of the 'cottage' and post that, then we can just move on. Oh, I know what I will give away, one of my new Christmas Tree Ornaments. I am going to solder this weekend! Yep, that will be perfect. Get those brain pumpin. Get those Thesaurus's' out, we are namin the house.

time to put the cheesecake butt to bed!

tootle loo,

Taco Soup

Yummy Yummy...
I was so chilly this morning, I rummaged around in the pantry and found all the things to make taco soup, you know the one with the beans, taco seasoning, dry ranch dressing, rotel, hamburger, corn, black beans, 2 cans of chicken broth, ranch beans... put it a crock pot and leave it all day. Add some corn bread and presto chango... supper is ready.

Then hubs, decided it was cold enough to start a fire in the fireplace. Smoke alarm sound... Good
heavens I forgot that I repainted the black part of the fireplace this summer. Open the patio door, open the windows and turn on the fans. Guess I forgot to tell him... oh well. I was just tyring to make it look good this summer. whatever.

happy fall ya'all


tootle loo

oh yea, I have a class project to make with 20 kids on Friday. We are going to mosaic the top part of a stool. We will put a cardinal on top and paint the rest red. Does anyone have any hints. I have never really done this except outside on a table.

Monday Maze

Today was really pretty fun. We 9 second grade classes went to Porter to the Livesay Orchard to the pumpkin patch. After traveling 1 hour which went fast, we arrived at the orchard. The apples did not produce, so we saw pumpkins. They were so organized. We watched a movie about how to grow a pumpkin, went to play in the pumpkin maze and game area, rode a hay wagon to the pumpkins patch and picked pumpkins. Then, back to the tent to eat lunch. The kids were great and the day went well.
We got back to school at 1:45. They were tired and played games the rest of the day. I love to watch them interact and play together in somewhat organized play!
After school, I ran to get my nails filled, off the Hobby Lobby, and then to Target, back home take a bath, fix supper, go to PEO and then home so I can watch the Bachelor! Wheee. Glad my jammies were on the bed!

Back to the Hobby Lobby trip. A few weeks ago the PTO decided to have a basket auction fund raiser. They thought it would be great for each class to also have 1 art project to auction in addition to the basket. I had an idea, but decided today to make a mosaic stool. We are going to paint a stool red and then make a mosaic of a cardinal... I will keep you posted. This should be fun! I have my TA that will help me on Friday. Well see how this works with 20 second graders!

The weather really cooled down this evening! Guess Indian Summer/Fall is moving out. Whaaa.
The tree leaves are falling like snow in our front yard. Hubs blew off the driveway yesterday and you can hardly see it tonight.

Better go, the Bachelor is almost on...
Tootle loo