Twilight...........again!

Ok, so I am a middle aged woman...................and I am obsessing over a book series and movie that was written for my TEENAGE DAUGHTER!!! I blame this completely on my sister who told me to read the book........who will also be very middle aged come December! All this to say, E. and I went to see the movie again!!!! I never have gone to see a movie twice that I can remember...........she has seen it 4 times. We went to eat afterwards and talked and talked...........we don't do that so much anymore, so if my obsession is hers and we are talking and communicating ideas.........so be it......... Another middle aged friend, sorry G. ,but we are, emailed me and asked me if I was in love with Edward (the main male character) and I said No, I'm just mad my husband isn't him and is a far cry from being him...........I laughed when I read a middle aged male media producer announce that this book series and movie have met mass female acclaim because this character has no annoying male habits, (eat loudly, bodily noises, etc) has super human strength and looks and his only care is whatever is on Bella's (the girls) mind................My daughter E. has been frustrated that no male can attain that perfection and I gently told her she couldn't attain that perfection either........the amazing thing is how clean these books are.............no sex, (only 2 kisses) and no foul language in the movie.................so E. and I could really enjoy it together........who would have thought we both would be mesmerized with a love story about a vampire...........I would have bet money not me.....

Ok.....

for my mother, our cousin Pam and Gretchen...................I will try to keep up daily with my boring little blog come the new year.........maybe I'll change it up a little.........we will see.......any suggestions?

Bedlam

Saturday night we watched Ou vs. OSU....also called Bedlam.....which was on ABC even in this part of the country. Growing up a friend and I would always tell each other to "cowboy up" which is an old rodeo term............it's funny to see them using that now... Speaking of alma mater's, another friend from OSU lives in Kansas City now, but found this VMI shirt T. is wearing in this picture at a warehouse sale...........He LOVES it! Thanks Kelly!

Thanksgiving Lacrosse

............teaching a cousin how to play..................

The Generations.....

E. and her Grandmother were the last ones at the table yesterday..............deep in conversation......

Thanksgiving Day

The boys went down yesterday to the beach to Chris' parents house..............so E. and I had a peaceful day at home and came down early today. (or I should say I had a peaceful day at home,,,,,,,E, as usual, was hardly here) We had a lovely dinner that everybody pitched in to help with.........the weather was beautiful...........and then the two older kids and I drove home. J and Chris will spend the night and go look at more River property tomorrow in the Northern Neck. Chris wants me to meet him, but the thought of driving again tomorrow doesn't excite me...............I ate too much! (what a shock, so think I'll turn in early) I am Thankful...........for many things.............but am usually to frenetic to realize it.............today was a great day to remember.

Scary T.

These pictures are several years old.....I found them on my Mother In Law's computer.....one from stage makeup day in theater class and one with a new ipod................he has grown up so much!

The Holiday Begins............

After a 2 hour meeting...........We started our Holiday........I kidnapped my daughter and took her to see the movie Twilight......we have read all the books.............we are both mesmerized and loved the movie. Tomorrow we will go see "4 Christmases" and then if we get home from Va. Beach in time, we may go see "Secret Lives of Bees" on Thanksgiving Day. Too many good movies to go see and I can't remember the last time I thought that...........

One Full Year

As the Holidays are almost here, I realize that the year is almost over and so will be my "project 365"...........My goal at the beginning of the year was to post everyday, like a year long scrap book...........as I am not a scrapbooker..........at all........I figured this would be nice to have....kind of a year in the life thing........... I haven't decided if I will continue into the new year. If I do, it certainly won't be every day.....maybe once a week or so, we will see...........but this morning,,,,,,,,,,,,I caught J. putting Splenda on his honey nut cheerios...............how ridiculous is that.......

Taco Soup

I fell upon this recipe while on the internet............ it was a hit tonight and took maybe 5 minutes to dump all the ingredients in............We had our first fire in the fireplace last night and will again tonight with taco soup with fresh cilantro and sour cream. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Wars

This last week was the week of wars..................our Athletic Director at our High School is so pitiful and has not ordered any of our wrestling gear. We may have to forfeit our first match............He also messed up the scheduling and we only have one home match. Ugh! I can't even talk about it I am so mad...................I let him have it.............and called his boss too................and if they don't respond I will call again......... These poor boys work too hard to have such poor organization from the adults. My other war was with Snapfish, the website I use for my pictures. I ordered my Christmas card and they duplicated the order 2 times and charged me for it. They emailed me a confirmation and I immediately contacted them to correct it, but they told me that once they have an order in, you can't cancel. I would have to receive all the duplicates, which hadn't even been made yet, and then return them...........BUT you have to return them in a envelope they send you and they can't send you one till you get the order............which means they hold on to my money I didn't want to spend for a month or 2................I was not happy, but got the order in and then "applied" for the refund.............which they said they would acknowledge in 24 hours....which they never did.....I did this 4 times in as many 24 hour periods and then sent them an email about how disappointed I was to be ripped off by them. I then called my credit card company where the poor non speaking english woman and I struggled to communicate...........I filed a dispute with my card company and miraculously the next day.............Snapfish sent me an email crediting my account!!! I don't even have to return the extra cards!!! I won the war!

Wrestling Season is Here

Even though T. is in Baltimore at a Lacrosse tournament today, it is really Wrestling season and I have to gear up to watch the matches...........so hard.............T. got an email from his coach at VMI listing the other early signees and sharing their information and emails so they can get to know each other.............He was so excited... http://www.laxpower.com/recruits/recruits.php?action=viewRcd&db=recruits2009&q=order+by+%60College%60+desc&page=2e

He is also excited about this website. It has him as a recruit......... Time is moving very quickly. Next week is Thanksgiving and then Christmas will roll in and we will be celebrating the new year.............our time with him is getting short... On another note, I stayed at the game till the first quarter, then T. came to pick me up. The couple we were with asked if T. could take them home too............leaving Chris alone at the game. Thankfully his buddy that sits with us was there alone........his wife said it was too cold to go.............so Chris was happy and ok with us leaving...............He got home after the game.............and now is sick from sitting in the cold all day.....We will stay inside today!

More Sports and It's Cold

The pretty colors and light are all gone. The beautiful Fall days.............gone.........it's is winter and cold.................in the thirties as I speak. I only like the cold if I am in bed under a pile of blankets or in front of a fire........... a couple of days ago a friend called and said, "We are going to freeze Saturday"............I asked her what she was talking about.......she then informed me that she and her husband had been invited by my husband to tailgate and go to the UVA football game............I knew nothing and had plans for my Saturday. When confronted, Chris said, it's just about 6 hours..............in the cold...........First off, I don't really like going to college games that I have no connection to............to be honest, I rarely went while IN college...........and I have to sit at my kids games hot or cold.................he doesn't get it..................I'll go to 2 a year......when it's warm........just to be nice.............I don't care if he goes every single day.............in fact, I wish all the boys would go together and just make it a guy thing..........(E. doesn't want to go either and again.......they are all incredulous) So who won? He did, I'm going.................but with one exception. If I am so cold I can't stand it, I'm coming home.............I just have to make if for 2 hours.......
By the way, he is outside now grilling the meat for his tailgate and he just ran in jumping because he is so cold. He didn't know I was in the kitchen and stopped abruptly when he saw me........I don't think he wants me to know HOW cold it is......

Sports on TV

If these two are home...............sports and the tv are constantly on......even as you can see below in the kitchen.............the little guy is getting just as bad............Chris is getting so hard of hearing that the TV just blares..........nothing gets on my nerves more than the blaring tv that is always on.................I am dreaming of a quiet little house that doesn't have a television.....................or any male species...........E. just doesn't make the mess and noise of the boys.........maybe I will take her with me to my quiet house.............I will have a quiet house next week..........Chris will take the boys to his parent's for Thanksgiving Wednesday and E and I are having a party............not a real party............just some quiet before we have to go to Virginia Beach Thanksgiving Day.

Homework

J. and his friend trying to get homework done so they can go to the UVA basketball game............on a school night to boot.......

Signing

Tomorrow is the last day of the official early signing and our coaches are still working on a "party" so T. and I did it today at lunch...................so we can get it in the mail tomorrow morning. He can sign a "memory" one to keep at the party............if we ever have it............

Last Lacrosse Clinic

Yesterday was the last day of our team's lacrosse clinic. I have to say it has been one of the nicest events I have ever been apart of. I love little kids with sticks.......Coach had the kids scrimmage yesterday and I don't know who had more fun..........the kids who were playing or the Dad's who were watching. The kids, even the little ones, were really playing and you could hear their sticks clicking as they competed for the ball.......................and we only had one bloody nose out of the whole bunch! I couldn't believe it! Our team has $2000.00 extra now because of the clinic............sitting in my bank account............I think we need a team booster account.....

Baby Doll

This was one of my favorite dolls as a little girl, in fact I still have the doll in a box in the attic, but not the buggy. This morning at Church the little girl in the pew with us had her blond hair up just like this........in fact she was the spitting image of this doll. When we first sat down and I saw her my mind went right to "Baby go bye bye".....strange how our minds work. As I was googling to find her, I also found Mrs. Beasley...........a doll I loved and wish I had kept, but must have sold in a garage sale ages ago.

I Love His Smile!

He loves his brother.

The Family that Blogs Together Stays Together.....

or at least they stay in touch!

http://four2alaska.blogspot.com/

Message to My Mother!!!!

ok, my title line is cheesy, but

Look at your niece's site above................are you keeping up with hers? Wouldn't Grandma love to look at these blogs everyday? I am sure somebody has an old computer lying around and we could get her email and internet............she loves to write and email is just letters..........what do you think? Maybe S. could start a blog too.................I would like to see pics of E. and Z. more....hint, hint!!!! In fact!!! You are retired, get a camera and start a farm blog.............or a knitting one......

Christmas Pictures

Every year I fret over getting a Christmas picture for my Christmas card. I really should do one of the whole family, but it is so hard to get us all to look right...........imagine that.......I always look old and tired and Chris in pictures smiling looks like Fred Flintstone, ....so I am trying to pick one from some taken this summer...........everybody had a bit of color then and looked better anyway. It's hard to believe it's already time to think of Christmas......

Hiding from the camera

It's just dinner.........no big deal.... He doesn't care if I take his picture, but SHE is adamant that I can't.........the little one didn't like the quiche we had for dinner so he choked down what was required and scurried away before picture time.

It's official!

almost...........Tucker got his letter of intent to sign today to play Lacrosse at VMI.. Next year he will be in red and on the field in Lexington...........he can't wait!

Beat up by a girl......

It's agony to get beat up, especially by a girl..........................thankfully it was an accident in a stick fight and she was so upset...........she cried too....

Winter Sports

Today was the first day for Winter Sports, so you know what is big at our house now.

Cold Lacrosse

We have one more clinic after today. Our weather has been incredible, but today the wind made it a bit too cold.............I love watching our team teach the little kids...they have done a great job...Our new neighbor from Memphis has never heard of Lacrosse, but signed her older son up right away............her younger son is a doll.........makes me miss the days of a having a little one......but then I think about it and I get over that really fast!

My Hydrangeas

Journal record to self for next spring:

I now have planted 7 hydrangeas..................these pictures are the kind I planted....I have Nikko blue, Annabelle (white) and Glowing Embers (reddish pink). My mother in law will give me 3 starters for the front bed and then I would like to buy 2 more next spring of the endless summer variety......for a total of 12.... That should give me plenty of cutting flowers....... In my new cutting flower bed I planted Siberian iris (my favorite iris), Daisies, Veronica, and Cone Flower. Next Spring I'll plant Lavender and then fill the bed with Zinnias............Now if I could get rid of the 2 boxwoods upfront...........I now notice overgrown bushes and loathe them.....I wish I could be the neighborhood plant police and tell my neighbors to get rid of the bushes that cover their windows and houses.............and quit trimming them into round balls........yuck..........and anything juniper like I hate.............I'm thinking of getting rid of the rest of the azaleas in front of the house.........I only like azaleas in a large bed away from the house...........in free form........I know, I know, I am getting so peculiar in my middle age!

Done

Can't even describe what a beautiful warm day it was. And!!! my yard work is done for now. I planted 7 new hydrangeas by the pond and fence.............now to just sit by the firepit while Chris smokes ribs.........perfect Saturday!

She'll Stick to Soccer

Emily, Tucker's girlfriend, was home from college last weekend and came to the lacrosse clinic..........she didn't catch the ball in this picture and almost had her nose broken..............she said she'll stick with soccer.....

Charlottesville, VA

View from Carter Mountain Orchard.................
This is the prettiest Fall I can ever remember!

A Teaching Moment

I am teaching Chris how to put pictures on his computer, so we had to take one of him to upload.....decided to post it here, because he is seldom the subject of my posts. This year he has made our backyard another living area with the outdoor kitchen and firepit..........it is probably the place our kids will remember the most having big conversations and just hanging out.

What to replace your "W" sticker with......

A friend sent this today and I found it quite clever..............I had that "W" on my car the first time Bush ran....................and now I have voted for Obama............I have to say...I wasn't crazy about anybody really......it's all a crap shoot!