Friends

EVERYBODY should have a friend like my friend Karen...................wise, Godly, funny as hell, and honest enough to look at you in your sweats and ponytail at the Mall and say, "honey, let's go find you a new outfit and a new hairdo".................She is also my FAVORITE person to go shopping with, cry with, move furniture around the house with and meet at the timberwood grill and have pomegranite margaritas and a big plate of nachos ...........we did that last night and can I just say...........I am blessed to have wonderful friends.....and you know she is fun because she let me take those crazy pictures........the women in my life keep me going.............My friend Susan in Virginia has breast cancer, so my sorority sister, Drusilla in Oklahoma City, is sending her something in the mail to keep her warm in the chemo suite...................and she is praying for Susan...........I sent Susan the email today and she felt so loved by somebody half way across the country she had never met before she just wept...............I did too......Karen has been taking care of her Mom who has Parkinson's and I can't tell you the grace this woman has to do that............I admire her beyond words.....She is going through so much, like my friend Susan, yet she is quirky enough to be so excited about her new red danskos (see picture above of my shoe whore friend)............the quote of the night from Karen..............."I love these new shoes............it's one of those unimportant things that will all burn up in the end,( talking about the Bible and what's important and what lasts), but I am going to enjoy them till they do"...............I so get that!

"Livin the Life"

My friend Becca wanted us to meet her fiance the other night so we had them over for wine and to sit out by the firepit........................when I went inside to check on J.........this is what I found....
He was in his Texas Colt McCoy jersey, had poured himself a huge coke and had made himself popcorn............he was watching a kid flick and when I asked him what he is was up to......his exact quote was, "Mom, I am livin the life"....................and so he is!

Wrestling Match

UPDATE! Tucker was 5 and 0 and was voted MVP today................very proud of him......
Today we all headed out to Madison County to watch T. wrestle. The girls brought books to read in the in between time...................which there is a ton of...............I have to say the 6 minutes of wrestling is eternal and during his second match, I had to take a walk.........I just get way too nervous. He won the first two and then we had to head back home so Chris and J. could get to the UVA basketball game....................haven't heard how the rest of the tournament went....I must be emotional today because two of the younger boys got hurt and were crying and I just couldn't stand it................I know it is an incredible sport of inner strength and discipline, but I am still wanting to be on vacation!!!!

Warning!!!! Gross Post!

Not sure how my New Year is starting off................certainly not for the faint of heart, or stomach.
I remember when I was in High School I babysat for these 2 little boys across the street.........they were gross...........their house was gross and especially the bathroom.............it made such an impression on me, but I knew I would never have children who would be so gross and MY house would be perfect...................until today.......................I am having to clean my OWN house as I am taking a break from the cleaning lady for the winter................you should ALWAYS clean your own house I learned today................you don't know what is going on if you don't clean it yourself..........today I pulled up the cushions on the sofa to vac. and low and behold on every underside edge of every cushion on the sofa and chairs was a crusty edge.................need I say more??????? I brought EVERY boy into the room and showed them the carnage while dry gagging...........they were not dry gagging.................they are gross,,,,,,,,but the littlest one is getting the blame for this travesty and the punishment is severe..............he will clean all the risers to the stairs.................basement ones too................every black mark will disappear or he will.............not have a nose to pick at all!!!!!

My First Made Up Recipe!!!

I wanted to make my friend Poody pureed soup yesterday and all I had in the house were carrots and buttermilk, so I played around on the internet and ended up making my own recipe........she emailed me this morning begging for it. I am so glad!!! I made it up as I went along……..glad it worked. I wonder if you could substitute a sweet potato or butternut squash for the carrots too?

Carrot Soup

5 large carrots cleaned and cut into chunks

4 green onions

Olive oil to cover bottom of pan

2 garlic cloves

¼ cup of red pepper chunks

1 tomato cut into chunks

Salt and pepper to taste

1 ½ cups of beef broth

2 cups of buttermilk

Cook vegetables in olive oil for 5 minutes with salt and pepper………add beef broth and cook 10 minutes

Add buttermilk and use hand blender to puree……………I just put it in my blender………….

You could add ginger or marjoram if you wanted…….

More Secret Pictures

I must have really been into the phone conversation I was having because I had no recollection of these pictures being taken. J. was just sitting there like a little mouse so he must not have been the one taking them...........I think it was T. Pie making is therapy.................but I need to give them away and not make the eating part therapy too.

Happy New Year!!!!

New Year's Eve we were at our traditional place,,,,,,,,,,,,China King Buffet...............don't ask me why.......it's a long story.................J. is always happy with the Chinese donuts...........The night was going GREAT until my friend Poody tripped on my front steps and broke 4 teeth..........today I made carrot soup....pureed...to take to her.........ugh! I also talked to my Grandmother for an hour while I cleaned the bathrooms and my mother while I walked around the block...........We had 15 bean soup with ham...............ie. my version of black eyed peas and hamhocks.........I prayed..............I kissed my 8 year old at midnight...............and tightened the hatches for the impending ice we are supposed to get............and I have enough food for 21 meals in case we really do get stuck inside..............I also found more "secret" pictures one of the children took of me baking pies while on the phone.........the result???? a face lift and a diet are on the agenda this year..........Welcome 2009!