Once again...I am blessed! I have a wonderful family that I actually ENJOY going home to visit. Some people say, "Wow! Isn't a week a long time for you to be out of your house and with your family?!" And while yes, it is always good to be back in my own house, I always truly enjoy my time in Abilene...with my family and Kevin's!
Hannah came to me a few weeks a go and told me how it would be a good idea if she and Mason got rid of some old toys to make room for all of the new stuff they'd be getting at Christmas. They made a big pile of toys that were in poor condition and needed to be thrown away. They made another big pile of toys that were good enough to give away. And it's a good thing, becaus the kids are blessed, too! Blessed with parents, Godparents, friends, and aunts & unlces that love them and have spoiled them with gifts galore!
On a sadder note, this was the first Christmas in 10 years that Kevin and I didn't get to celebrate together. When the kids and I left on Tuesday, Kevin had to stay behind for work. And with our unexpected "White Christmas" came interstate closings that prevented him from making it home on Christmas Eve. But no worries, he's on his way now!
On a happier note, he and I will be getting a MUCH needed get away! My wonderful brother-in-law, Joel, has given us a wonderful gift. We will be leaving the kids with Grandma and Grandpa while we go to Ruiodosa, New Mexico for 2 nights! The closest thing we've come to having a get away in the last 3 years is when I've had to go down to Houston for bone marrow tests...and I don't really think those count!
I also got to catch up with some of my very dear High School friends (a few of whom are also fellow-bloggers)! We brought our kids and spouses (except for me, of course) to Chuck E. Cheese. It was great to finally be able to meet everyone's kids! And it was the first time all of us have been able to get together in 10 years....WOW how time flies!
When we finally do get back home to Denton, I will have 5 days to rest and relax (yeah, right) in my own house before getting back to work. It's been a WONDERFUL Christmas, and I am SO blessed to have friends and family to share it with!
:)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
This and That...
* I love a good pun. I know they're simple and cheesy...but hey, so am I! I guess that's why I enjoy them so much. And if you can have a pun included in a gift and make that gift cute, it will make my day. For example: I got a gift from a student yesterday. It was just a 2-liter bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper. However, they covered the label in a really cute wrapping paper, put a raffia bow around the top, and included a sweet note thanking me for all that I do and saying I was "just what the "Dr." ordered..." How great was that?!
* Here's some things you may not know about me: I've always wanted to go to a costume party, I'm a bit envious of anyone who can do that really loud whistle (with their fingers or without), although I love almost all kinds of music I think the 80's power ballads might be my fav., Tuner & Hootch is one of my very favorite Tom Hanks movies,
* I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired
* My ideal job is one that I would only work 20-25 hours a week (just enough to get me out of the house and keep me on my toes), would pay me just as much (if not more) as I'm making now, would have awesome insurance on the cheap, and would do some good in the world. That's not too much to ask is it?!
* I love a good cry. Whether from TV, movies, music, or no reason at all. Sometimes it's just such a good release!
* I've never had a nickname. I mean, people have called me names all my life (joker, thunder thighs, amazon woman, dork, tattle-tale, cry baby, mook, etc), but never really a nickname. I don't even consider Cakes to be a nickname. It started out as a joke, turned into a habit, and now it's almost as much of my regular name as Tracy is.
* Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, but according to Kevin I wear my buttons on my sleeves...which is why it's so easy for him to push all of them!
* I love going home. I consider my family (in-laws included) to be my friends. So going home is always a relaxing, enjoyable time for me.
* 30 minutes after school started yesterday, one of my boys came up to me and said, "Um, Mrs. Pwickett? You haven't aksed me all day about how I go this scwatch on my face." Trying to fight back the laughter and feign concern (because it's obviously something he wants me to know), I say, "I'm sorry about that. What happened?!" He tells me that he got scratched by some metal. Again, fighting back a smirk, I asked him what he was doing with metal so close to his face. To this he very matter-of-factly replies, "Oh, it's OK. We're allowed to play with metal until we get scwatched. Then that's enough for one day."
* Here's some things you may not know about me: I've always wanted to go to a costume party, I'm a bit envious of anyone who can do that really loud whistle (with their fingers or without), although I love almost all kinds of music I think the 80's power ballads might be my fav., Tuner & Hootch is one of my very favorite Tom Hanks movies,
* I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired
* My ideal job is one that I would only work 20-25 hours a week (just enough to get me out of the house and keep me on my toes), would pay me just as much (if not more) as I'm making now, would have awesome insurance on the cheap, and would do some good in the world. That's not too much to ask is it?!
* I love a good cry. Whether from TV, movies, music, or no reason at all. Sometimes it's just such a good release!
* I've never had a nickname. I mean, people have called me names all my life (joker, thunder thighs, amazon woman, dork, tattle-tale, cry baby, mook, etc), but never really a nickname. I don't even consider Cakes to be a nickname. It started out as a joke, turned into a habit, and now it's almost as much of my regular name as Tracy is.
* Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, but according to Kevin I wear my buttons on my sleeves...which is why it's so easy for him to push all of them!
* I love going home. I consider my family (in-laws included) to be my friends. So going home is always a relaxing, enjoyable time for me.
* 30 minutes after school started yesterday, one of my boys came up to me and said, "Um, Mrs. Pwickett? You haven't aksed me all day about how I go this scwatch on my face." Trying to fight back the laughter and feign concern (because it's obviously something he wants me to know), I say, "I'm sorry about that. What happened?!" He tells me that he got scratched by some metal. Again, fighting back a smirk, I asked him what he was doing with metal so close to his face. To this he very matter-of-factly replies, "Oh, it's OK. We're allowed to play with metal until we get scwatched. Then that's enough for one day."
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Baking is DONE...
As promised, here are some pictures throughout
my Christmas Baking process:
Just a few of the ingredients & supplies...
Chocolate Pecan Caramels...individually wrapped, of course!
Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies...
...Peppermint PopcornMy Caramel Crunchies...
And the finished gifts (plus 1 other big box, 1 more small box, and about 10 other bags...and left overs for us as well)...
And there were others (candy cane snowball cookies and muddy buddies) that I forgot to take pictures of. I don't know how Bakerella does it so well on her blog!
Well, that's it for now...peace out!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Christmas Goodies...
Tomorrow begins a 2-day marathon of baking!! It is one of my favorite weekends of the year (if only the laundry, house cleaning, and kids would take care of themselves)! Really though, I can't wait!
I am baking for goodie-sampler gift boxes and individual treats...and what's left over will stay with us!
Here's what I'm making:
4-5 dozen Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
8 dozen Candy Cane Snowball Cookies
6 dozen Chocolate Pecan Caramels (yes...actual candy from scratch)
2 boxes of my famous Caramel Crispies
1 box of Muddy Buddies
2 bags of Peppermint Popcorn
2-3 dozen frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies
All of them will be made and given with love! If I remember, I'll try to take and post pictures like Bakerella (the baking blog I follow).
Here's to a good weekend full of baking...prepare for mouthwatering updates to come!
I am baking for goodie-sampler gift boxes and individual treats...and what's left over will stay with us!
Here's what I'm making:
4-5 dozen Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
8 dozen Candy Cane Snowball Cookies
6 dozen Chocolate Pecan Caramels (yes...actual candy from scratch)
2 boxes of my famous Caramel Crispies
1 box of Muddy Buddies
2 bags of Peppermint Popcorn
2-3 dozen frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies
All of them will be made and given with love! If I remember, I'll try to take and post pictures like Bakerella (the baking blog I follow).
Here's to a good weekend full of baking...prepare for mouthwatering updates to come!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Favorite Things...
So, I was just thinking about that song from "The Sound of Music"...you know, "brown paper packages tied up with strings...these are a few of my favorite things". In elementary school, it was one of my favorite songs to sing in music class. (Well, that and "Don Gato", but that's another story.) Anyway, it inspired me to list a few of MY favorite things...
~ Laughing ~
This is probably my very most favorite thing. It's so simple, but I guess that's another of my favorite things (simple things). For me, it truly is "the best medicine". Regardless of how I'm feeling, a good laugh will always lift my spirits. I try to surround myself with funny people...or at least people who know what funny is. And lucky for me, I am married to one of the funniest who is also the supreme judge of what is funny....isn't that right, Cakes?
~ TV ~
So, maybe it rots your brain...so what?! During the school year, it is my escape. I watch it for hours almost every night, and I can catch up on school work, laundry, Christmas cards, etc. I watch dramas, comedies, and dramadies. Sometimes it's mindless, sometimes it's hilarious, sometimes it's intriguing, and some times it's even an emotional release.
~ Family ~
It may sound lame or cliche, but it is true. I am a home-body through and through. Whether just hanging out with my family here, or going home and being with my parents, siblings, and in-laws, it's time I truly enjoy. I love talking to, laughing at, reminiscing with, and just listening to everyone together!
~ Reading ~
It is a hobby that sadly, I've only recently picked up on. All through school, I hated reading. But during student teaching, I decided to read what all the kids were talking about, so I picked up the Harry Potter books, read the first 4 in 2 weeks, and was hooked. And slowly, but surely since then I have added to my favorite books: Harry Potter 6 & 7, all Nicholas Sparks books (especially The Notebook, The Choice, and The Lucky One), Little Women, the Twilight Series (especially Eclipse and Breaking Dawn), the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, My Sister's Keeper...and I can't wait to add more to the list! Reading has also become an escape for me. And yes, I know it makes me a nerd...or more accurately just confirms the fact that I am a nerd!
~ Baking ~
It just makes me happy. If I've had a bad day, baking helps me unwind. If I've had a good day, baking helps me celebrate it. If I'm bored, baking gives me something to do. But whatever the reason is behind the baking, I love to share it with other people. I like to think that they enjoy it, but even if not, I enjoy doing it. I love baking and I love the people I bake for...it's a simple way for me to show that I care...and it's a simple way to keep me from eating all of it! :)
~ Music ~
It's such a powerful thing, and it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I remember listening to the radio with my mom when I was in Kindergarten (George Straight and Sawyer Brown come to mind). I remember the first cassette tape I ever got (an oldies tape with the song "Hey There Little Red Riding Hood"). I remember loving movie soundtracks as much as the actual movies themselves (Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Forest Gump, Almost Famous, Rock Star, etc). I remember when making dedications on the radio was popular. I took piano lessons, I was in band, and I did (and still do) my "best" singing in the car. I think the old Clint Black song says it all: "Ain't it funny how a melody can bring back a memory, take you to another place and time, completely change your state of mind".
I also love movies and long walks on the beach. (ha-ha) But I think that's all for now...WOW...I really rambled this time! Maybe there will be a favorite things 2 post later down the road.
What are some of your favorite things?
~ Laughing ~
This is probably my very most favorite thing. It's so simple, but I guess that's another of my favorite things (simple things). For me, it truly is "the best medicine". Regardless of how I'm feeling, a good laugh will always lift my spirits. I try to surround myself with funny people...or at least people who know what funny is. And lucky for me, I am married to one of the funniest who is also the supreme judge of what is funny....isn't that right, Cakes?
~ TV ~
So, maybe it rots your brain...so what?! During the school year, it is my escape. I watch it for hours almost every night, and I can catch up on school work, laundry, Christmas cards, etc. I watch dramas, comedies, and dramadies. Sometimes it's mindless, sometimes it's hilarious, sometimes it's intriguing, and some times it's even an emotional release.
~ Family ~
It may sound lame or cliche, but it is true. I am a home-body through and through. Whether just hanging out with my family here, or going home and being with my parents, siblings, and in-laws, it's time I truly enjoy. I love talking to, laughing at, reminiscing with, and just listening to everyone together!
~ Reading ~
It is a hobby that sadly, I've only recently picked up on. All through school, I hated reading. But during student teaching, I decided to read what all the kids were talking about, so I picked up the Harry Potter books, read the first 4 in 2 weeks, and was hooked. And slowly, but surely since then I have added to my favorite books: Harry Potter 6 & 7, all Nicholas Sparks books (especially The Notebook, The Choice, and The Lucky One), Little Women, the Twilight Series (especially Eclipse and Breaking Dawn), the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, My Sister's Keeper...and I can't wait to add more to the list! Reading has also become an escape for me. And yes, I know it makes me a nerd...or more accurately just confirms the fact that I am a nerd!
~ Baking ~
It just makes me happy. If I've had a bad day, baking helps me unwind. If I've had a good day, baking helps me celebrate it. If I'm bored, baking gives me something to do. But whatever the reason is behind the baking, I love to share it with other people. I like to think that they enjoy it, but even if not, I enjoy doing it. I love baking and I love the people I bake for...it's a simple way for me to show that I care...and it's a simple way to keep me from eating all of it! :)
~ Music ~
It's such a powerful thing, and it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I remember listening to the radio with my mom when I was in Kindergarten (George Straight and Sawyer Brown come to mind). I remember the first cassette tape I ever got (an oldies tape with the song "Hey There Little Red Riding Hood"). I remember loving movie soundtracks as much as the actual movies themselves (Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Forest Gump, Almost Famous, Rock Star, etc). I remember when making dedications on the radio was popular. I took piano lessons, I was in band, and I did (and still do) my "best" singing in the car. I think the old Clint Black song says it all: "Ain't it funny how a melody can bring back a memory, take you to another place and time, completely change your state of mind".
I also love movies and long walks on the beach. (ha-ha) But I think that's all for now...WOW...I really rambled this time! Maybe there will be a favorite things 2 post later down the road.
What are some of your favorite things?
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