Monday's Musings: One Heck of a LOOOONNNGGGG Week!!!

So, since my last post, several things have happened.  Some good, some not so good, and some GREAT!  Many of you are like me, your Mondays seem to come way too fast, and way too often! (insert head nod here, maybe even an AMEN!)  This Monday, I wasn't sure would get here fast enough!  I missed a whole week of blogging, almost a whole week of school (I went Monday and I went Friday), and pretty much what seemed like a whole week of sleep!  For, you ask?  My sweet momma was in the hospital.  

 

Gary and I got the call around 3am a week ago yesterday.  It's one of those scary middle of the night calls; however, for some reason I couldn't sleep that night, so I hadn't been to sleep yet!!!  Needless to say, we got Mom settled in the hospital, and I came home and took a nap at around 1 pm (I think? Still haven't caught up on my time, or days of the week)! 

 

You notice I said earlier I went to school on Friday, well, we got to bring Mom home on Thursday, and Alice, Libby and Karon were at the 'rents house, so I went  back to my kiddos!  

Some of them were glad to see me!

Annndddd....some not so much!!

As for me, well, I was just happy and blessed that God decided my momma was ok enough to go home.  We have some good days and some bad days, but we are strong enough to get through!

Happy Reading, and I'm Happy to be Back!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Family Friday: What a Week I have had!

So, it's Family Friday!  This week, I'm going to focus on my sisters.  I am one lucky lady!  I have 4 sisters, 3 of which are older than I, and the 4th is 6 minutes younger than I. (I hate not remembering the grammar rule about me and I in this situation, so if I get it wrong who cares forgive me).

 

 For the past several years, my family has the MAIN event where everyone comes in from all over and gets together, during Thanksgiving.  Christmas is a hard time, because that is the time of year when we lost my brother - I sure miss him!!! - and with all the small greats, it is easier to do mine and Karon's birthday Thanksgiving. 

Ever since my brother's passing, we have done a "Sisters Pic" when we are all together, sometimes when one of them us isn't able to come in, we take one, and rub it in to the missing sister!  Gotta love Family!!

 Butch, Zach, and Jake

 

Thanksgiving 2011:  From Left:  Karon, Libby, Alice, Tootsie, Sharon

Thanksgiving 2012:  From Left:  Tootsie, Libby, Alice, Sharon, Karon

Dad and Mom

Thanksgiving 2013:  From Left:  Karon, Sharon, Alice, Libby, Tootsie

Dad and Mom

We do get a little goofy at times, much to Momma's dismay! Haha!!

This week, due to Dad having a dr appt and mom having a CT scan, Alice (the middle child/sister) came in and spent the night at mom and dad's.  Being that Mom had to drink this contrast stuff, and wasn't exactly thrilled about having this test, I spent the night too, and helped.  Even though we had a bit of a stressful time, (Mom's NOT a very easy person to convince when she is set on something - in other words, stubborn set in her ways) Alice would say something and I would get tickled, which earned a not so good look from Mom.  Glad the test is over, and waiting on results, but waiting in my own bed, and Alice in hers.

Yes, Alice has to be the center of attention!!  That's a middle girl for you!

I love my sisters dearly.  Like all sisters, sometimes we want to kill love each other to death, but in the end, "We are Family, all my sisters and me" (you sang it didn't you??)

Happy Friday, Happy Spring, and Happy Weekend!

Thanks for reading, 

Sharon

Wednesday: what i wore from mon-wed

I think I will have to say, that I pretty much rocked the wardrobe this week!  Now, if I could just lose the padding each outfit seems to have, no matter what the outfit is, I think I will be really rockin' it! Haha!  Hope you enjoy, because I really do feel like I made good choices when I went shopping, and putting things together.  Not too young (Aimie) and not too old (that frumpy look - you might see that in a past or future post!) 

Monday, the 17th:  St Patrick's Day

Trousers:  Lee, Blazer:  Dress Barn,  Sleeveless Green Light Sweater:  Dress Barn, Necklace: 2nd Story Designs (Amber Bond - Gorgeous)  In this pic I have my navy flats from Dress Barn on; however, by the time I got out the door, I had changed to my American Eagle brown clogs.  

Tuesday, May 18th

Navy colored Jeans:  GAP; Navy and white striped shirt:  Old Navy; Coral colored daisy-type necklace with matching earrings (that I don't know if I will wear again):  Charming Charlies;  Navy Flats:  Dress Barn

Wednesday, March 19

It was Jeans Day!!!  One of my favorite days of the week; but especially this week, because we get TWO in a row!!!  ANA green with navy striped sweater:  JCPenneys;  Miss Me Jeans:  Buckle;  Wore my Sperry's again!!!

If I can remember, and if I am maintaining the "cute" look, I will take pics from Thursday through Sunday so you have more to look at than just 3 days!  Hahaha!!!

Can you tell my photography pics are improving somewhat?!!  Yay, ME!!!

I didn't link anything, but if you would like for me to, just leave a comment and I will.  I'm exhausted, and I think I need to finish this and GO TO BED!  

Night, night!

Sharon

Top Two Tuesday! What to choose, what to choose???

I have soooo many favorites, most of which are food! Haha! Can't keep posting pictures of food, soooo, to find something else.  I guess people might say I am a bit obsessed with Bath and Body lotions, sprays, soaps, wallflowers, etc.; I would just say B&B is a BIG favorite!  I typically love all the scents; just can't have them all.  Gary thinks is allergic to coconut scent.  Aimie doesn't like it either (power of persuasion, perhaps)?  I'm ok with it, but because of them, there is no chance of me wearing it. Haha!  I graduated from buying the bigger lotions, etc to the small travel size because I am running out of room don't use them quick enough.  Am I ashamed of this favorite?  Heck no!  Right now I have a B&B bag of wallflowers sitting on the dining room table that I just bought, ready to use!

Look, I still have ROOM!!!!

Another favorite of mine, that I didn't think would be is my Kindle! I fought like heck hesitated getting an e-reader because I thought I would miss the feel, smell, and weight of an actual book in my hands.  WRONG!  I not only don't miss it, sometimes it actually feels quite wonderful!!!  I have to admit, that comes as something of a surprise because I am a PRO-BOOK type person.  I taught my kids to love books, their dad, well, I'm working on him! Haha!  Occasionally, I will pick up a "real" book, but usually it's because someone has loaned it to me, I want to re-read it, or I am moving it from one place to another!  One of the things I love about my Kindle is the FREE downloads from Amazon!  There are a lot of free books out there that are really good reads!  

No, I'm not reading about a boy who stole from the dead, that is the AD! LOL!

So, there are a couple of my favorites this week!  Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Reading!

Sharon

Monday's Musings: Thoughts, thoughts, and wishing I didn't have some of these thoughts!

Top o' the mornin' to ya!  Well, it is 8:45 PM, so I guess it's bottom of the evenin'! Ha! 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

 

I really do enjoy this holiday!  Not quite sure why, since I don't get out of school for it, there's no school party for it, and I have to warn my school kids, NO PINCHING!  LOL!  I was going to make the Lucky Charms Pinterest Treat shown below, BUT that didn't happen either!  I do have the ingredients, but don't have the motivation.  (Boo, Mrs. Simmers)!!!

Usually I will wear the St. Patty's Day socks, but I wasn't feeling it today, so I just wore socks that would match my outfit and put the SPD socks on when I got home - with my jammies! 

 

 

 

 

 

It's also hard to think of March when it's FREEZING outside!!  Lucky (get it?) for me, I didn't have recess duty this week!  WooHoo!  By the time Bus Duty rolled around, the Sun was shining - more Luck? Hmmm..I'm thinking that God decided I needed a little sunshine today!  Thanks God!  It really helped!

 

 

Speaking of God, and his Blessings, He sure does give them to me quite frequently, even though I am not very deserving (who really is?).  My major New Year's resolution was to get closer to God, through prayer, church, or really just personally.  I'm really working on this one!  I have already sang at church as much, if not more, this year than I did last year, (I think).  I feel GOOD being back at church, and Gary and I are even getting double doses sometimes!  Never can have too much of a GOOD thing!  So, if you have noticed a slight (yes, I'm still a negative person, sorry!) change in my attitude - I'm working on it! - it's probably because I've opened up my heart and let the SON shine in!

ON that note, here's a lttle saying I came across on one of my favorite shopping/wishing/idea getting websites, Pinterest :

 

 

God Bless, and Happy Reading!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sharon

 

 

 

 

Family Fridays, on Sunday--Again!! Focus on Aimie

My Aimie!  What can I say?  She's my baby girl, and well, she's special!  It all started when Gary and I decided Michael needed a little brother or sister.  I was hoping girl, but knew not to get my hopes up, as the odds were NOT in our favor.  We had decided that NO MATTER WHAT the baby's gender, we would be done. 

 

18 years ago, a gender reveal party was unheard of!  We wouldn't have done it anyway, because, as with Michael, we wanted to be surprised.  Anyhow, my whole pregnancy was pretty uneventful, and very similar to when I was expecting Michael.  I had the usual amount of heartburn, etc., so I was CONVINCED I was having another boy.  I was a little disappointed, but had decided that God wanted me to have 2 boys, so 2 boys it was!  Keep in mind, I knew nothing of the gender.  Because I had a c-section with Michael, I was given the option, but told 95% of the time, a second c-section would be required in the end.  Not one to go against the odds - plus I was chicken - we scheduled the day our little bundle of joy would arrive.  It really made it easier, because my momma and daddy could come up and keep track of Michael.  

All set, and good to go, June 1st, 1995, our baby arrived!  The epidural seemed to be taking it's sweet time, so the dr. tipped me upside down to hurry it along.  As I lay there listening to all the talk in the delivery room, I started to feel my nose tingling, then didn't feel it so much.  I very loudly politely asked everyone if I was supposed to NOT feel my nose.  Talk about fast moving, those people were cranking me down pretty quick!

The moment arrived, and Dr. Tygett finally delivers the baby, with the announcement, "It's a Girl!"  I was like, "a girl, but I thought it would be a boy?"  - I don't do any kind of anesthesia drug very well, by the way.  Then I remember asking if she had hair, several times, and finally one of the nurses was yelling, very sternly telling me that I needed to worry about the baby's breathing and not her hair.  I was like, "she is fine, I just want to know about her hair"!  Yes, she was fine, No, she didn't have even 1/4 of the hair Michael did when he was born!

Not enough hair for a bow (insert sad face)

This baby girl turned our lives UPSIDE DOWN!  Many times my mother would say, "If Aimie would have been first, there would NOT have been a second!"  She was very right!  Hahaha!  I wouldn't trade her for the world - or as Gary's dad used to say, "Wouldn't take a million dollars for any one of them, but wouldn't give a plug nickel for another just like them!"  What a WISE man! Haha!  

Michael, however, says that the day Aimie was born, was the ruination of his life!

 

 I think he has since changed his mind! Hahaha!!

My baby girl is in PCB for Spring Break this week!  Hard to believe she's old enough to be in college, much less on Spring Break!  My two main warnings to her:  Don't go to jail, and please, please, please DO NOT be in a commercial for a Girls Gone Wild video!  Have fun sweetie!  Momma loves her baby girl!!!

Sorry this is late, but for me, it was well worth the trip down memory lane!  PS, stay tuned for the "how daddy spelled my name" episode!

Enjoy and Happy Reading!

Sharon

Thursday: What I have read/am reading at this moment

Sad, sad, sad!!  I have been so busy playing catch up at school, and home that I haven't even picked up my Kindle! (Insert sad face here)  I did, however sign up on BookBub at the recommendation of a FB friend!  It's a site for low cost books, at the various "book buying" sites.  Free sign up, and free books too!  Some cost, but I got a LOT for free, and FREE is FUN!!!

I was going to tell you about the wonderfully fun story we read/listened to in our Reading Series today, but....I think you should remain in suspense! Ha!  All my teacher friends, and even those who are teachers, or parents who have read the stories in these Basal Readers know what I'm being so sarcastic about!  Blech!  I would really rather do a good book unit than the Basal any day!!!

For my "I love to read" friends, I found this little ditty on Pinterest!  Thought I would share it with you, because this is exactly what I tell Gary when I'm reading a good book!

Happy Reading!  Sorry I wasn't much help today!  I promise I will read a book or two this weekend, just for YOU!  (Insert smile here!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

What I Wore this Week Wednesdays

Oh my word! I am seriously going downhill fast!  In weight, and fashion!  For one, this time change is KILLING me!  I will get used to it, I just need to convince myself! Ha! I have been somewhat of a slacker in the dressing for success part of this week.  I am still going to post those pictures, of What "not" to wear!  Hahaha!  I do have some cute things I wore, just some of them shouldn't have been on the same day!  Oh well, here goes!

Friday evening at the Sr. Beta Convention:  Photo courtesy of Linda Barnes Davis

I am standing next to the cute little girl in the light blue sweater.  I have to wear my suit when I am onstage being introduced.  I got this little number at Dress Barn.

Monday:  Took this photo in the dressing room at Penney's in the West County Mall.  Their mirrors are soooo much better (at showing my size)!

Cardigan from I don't remember where (so, I'm losing my mind too!), tank from Wal-mart, jeans are Daytrip (curvy version - love that adjective instead of plus size) from the Buckle, and my Sperry's!  

Tuesday:  This was one of "those" days!   It was gorgeous outside, so I wore my khakis and one of my new favorite "teacher" shirts with my Nike tennis shoes, of course!

Unfortunately, I waited until after school, when I was really tired, to take the picture.  Notice the new addition (reading glasses - boo!)  That's the age thing creeping in!  If you can't read it, the shirt says, "iTeach:  no app for that" made by my friend at Designs with Dazzle (this is a link to her FB page).  I didn't get the khakis in, because, well, they are khakis!  Haha!!

Wednesday:  OMW (Oh My Word!)  This day, I even told several fellow teachers, I just do NOT know who dressed me!  It was pretty bad, but oh, so comfy!  Recess duty with what seemed like 100 mile/hr winds?  What else could anyone expect???

I was representing Aimie and JeffCo pretty good today!  The pants are a grayish color corderouy (I was totally thinking recess duty in the cold weather when I bought them), and I had my black, sparkly Toms on!  What a Mess!!!  Can't even say Hot Mess!!  I was sure a Comfortable Mess, though!

I promise to try to do better next week.  No duties, warmer weather!!!  First day of Spring!!

Happy Hump Day, Ladies and Gents!  In honor of that, here is a little pic I LOVE:  

Bahahaha!!!

Thanks for reading!

Sharon

Top Two Tuesday!! These are two of my favorite things!

You have to admit, you did sing the title, didn't you!  Haha!  So, today was a little more positive, but man oh man, I am TIRED!  In order to help relieve that tiredness, one of my favorites is Diet Mt. Dew!  Now, it wasn't too long ago that I didn't like diet sodas.  I said there was a major thing wrong with them and that was D-I-E-T!  Well, when I went on my watching what I eat and drink, and lost major weight (found it again, btw), I started drinking Diet RootBeer (no caffeine)  and then tried the Diet Mt. Dew.  It didn't make me hurt, so I kept drinking it, and well, now it's a favorite.  It helps so much when I am tired like this  Here's to you, Diet Dew!

Favorite #2 would have to be Peanut Butter Snickers! (Now you see why I found the weight I lost)  When I first saw these, I thought they looked quite disgusting, and wondered how anyone could ruin a great candy bar like a Snickers?  That's what I get for thinking!!  Gary and I will get a king sized version on a really munch day, to share, but most times, I get one square and he gets the other.  Great pick me up!

Sorry if I caused you to get the munchies, I just ate supper, so I could safely let you all in on these favorites.  Don't get me wrong, this curvy girl sure does like her other favorite candy bars, and diet sodas!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Sharon

Monday's Musings: Trying to be positive, but.......

Happy, grouchy, day after time change, Monday!  I know, positive!  +++  It really was not fun having to get up an hour earlier than normal, due to dr appts in St. Louis!  GRRRR....  Guess the positive in this was, a day in St. Louis!!!  WooHoo!!

First things first, the time change:  I really wish we could decide to leave the time like it is now.  I LIKE the feeling of my days being longer, just because of more daylight!  I am NOT a fan of getting up for the day and it still being dark; but.....you know the old saying, You can't have your cake and eat it too! Haha!  So, the following picture is a reminder for me!

 

My next little item of note deals with the dr appts we had in St Louis.  Aimie went to see Dr. Miller, an orthopedic surgeon we saw when she was 15 and her shoulder started doing really janky (if you saw what it does, you would say janky too!) things!  Well, the shoulder is back at it since she is lifting weights for spring training.  (Boooooo!)  He still doesn't think surgery is the answer (thank you Lord!), but she has to have another MRI ($$$) to make sure there is nothing even weirder going on.  Then he wants her to do more therapy ($$$$$) to retrain her muscles.  She was NOT a happy camper!  Prayers for a good MRI, and a Happier Aimie!

My dr appt made me NOT a happy camper, because I get to go see yet another dr!  ($$$$$$$ and had to get on the scales (yucky))  Just say prayers that we can figure this mess out!  I am thankful that even though the C word has crept into conversation on occasion, there is not any evidence of it!  God has been good to me throughout this whole health ordeal, even though it's hard to see!

 

 Now for the fun part of St Louis!  SHOPPING!! We went to the "Dove Mall" (West County), much to Gary's dismay - he HATES to shop - so he went to the food court to talk business with his phone friends!  I didn't get a whole lot of items, but I did get a couple of cute, cute necklaces at Charming Charlie's,  some makeup at the Bare Minerals store, and a pair of cute shoes - on Clearance - at Macy's.  I also might have found my MOG (mother of the groom) dress.  Not sure, but maybe.....I still have a little time.  I didn't enjoy the Dove Mall as much as I usually do because 1.  Aimie wasn't with me (she had to go back to school) and 2.  There was a whole lot of LOUD construction going on!  Ugghh!!  Then the hubs and I went to McAlister's for lunch.  YUMMY!!!  Have added pics of my purchases, just because I can!

Charming Charlies:  I am soooo addicted to these!

Bare Minerals:  I love the fact that the primer now comes in a creamy, tinted form!!!  So very excited!
 

Macy's:  These shoes were....drumroll, please.....$16!!!!  WooHoo!!!
 

I also got home to a package from Nordstrom (couldn't find anything I liked in the store, Boo!!)  I ordered 3 scarves for less than $20!!

See, I kept it pretty positive! Hahaha!!!

Happy Reading!

Sharon

Friday's Post, on Sunday! Family Friday, here it goes!

Friday, two days ago, I was in Branson, Missouri at the Sr. Beta Convention.  I had such a good time!  I rode the bus out with the Advance crew and even got to eat breakfast and do a little shopping with Ashley, Kaci, and Macy; however, when 12:00 hit, I never stopped!  I met so many people, formally and informally.  Saw former co-workers, as well as former classmates, and former students!  All the while handing out lanyards for the 75th birthday of Beta Club!  Needless to say, I didn't hit my bed until almost 2:00 am.  Saturday was an early morning sponsors breakfast, then on to the next general session.  Immediately after, we left to make the drive to Farmington to see our Hornets basketball team compete in the Elite 8 and hopefully go on to the Final Four.  It was really not in the cards for our boys, because of a final 3 point shot at the buzzer from the opposing team.  It was a really heartbreaking night, that I felt as though I was reliving again!  You see, last year, Aimie's Hornets volleyball team made it to the Elite 8 and got beat by Bernie, ending their ride to State.  I truly know how these parents feel!  It's like you lose an important part of your life!  Life does go on, but I encourage you to wallow in your loss - just don't do it for long! (Smile here!)  

So, what in the world does that have to do with being a Family Friday post?  Well, in a small town, at a small school, you are a BIG family!  I have a Hornet family that I love just as I would any other family!  Sometimes they drive me crazy, but they are still my family, and I love them just the same!

Happy Friday Sunday!  See you tomorrow!

Sharon

Thursday: What I have read and a little bit of randomness

Happy Thursday!  I think it is safe to say that I am close enough to midnight that I don't have to say Friday truly! Ha!  With all the snow days we have had, I have gotten to do one of the most favorite things, besides sleep, I like to do--read!  So, here's a peek at what this nerdy reader has been reading!

Wonder, as recommended by a FB friend.  Written by RJ Palacio

 

Oh my!  What a read!  I really loved this book, about a boy born with a birth defect that made him look "not normal", yet he teaches all of us, characters in the book and readers as well, what being a good person really is.  There are really no illustrations, yet through the author's words, you can truly picture the boy and his face.  Truly did my heart good to read this.  Ordered through Amazon for my Kindle. 

I also read Deborah Raney's book Because of the Rain, an expanded version of her book In the Still of the Night.  Love, love, love her books!  She writes Christian fiction, and is truly an amazing author.  She has a new book coming out that I mentioned previously, and cannot wait to read!!  If I'm not mistaken, she just put the finishing touches on it!  

Because of the Rain is a heart wrenching, touching story about a couple who has to go through a very traumatic event - rape.  Deb takes us from the beginning to the end of the terrible things a couple has to face, and conquer when put in this awful situation.  There's a twist, that will leave you feeling, oh so blessed, and oh so thankful for what you have had.  You can get this at Amazon for your Kindle, or I believe in book form too!

 

Deb's hubby, Ken, designed the cover. (He is amazing!)  You can visit Deb here on her blog.  You can also visit Ken's website for Christian teens at Clash Entertainment.

Now, for my randomness:  It's that time of year folks, Sr. Beta Convention!!!  I am so excited that I get to go again this year.  This time, I'm in a kind of official capacity, Jr. Beta State Sponsor Elect.  It's fun to be with the older kids on the trip, and also with three of my favorite co-workers on the bus ride!  Yes, people, we are on a school bus for a 5 hour drive to Branson, MO!  We have 21 kids with us, and only 4 of them are male.  Imagine, if you will, 17 girls singing Bruno Mars' "When I was your Man", at the top of their lungs! (Insert smile here)  I LOVED IT!  I really wanted to join in, but was afraid they might think I had lost my marbles, or even worse--tell Aimie!!  Ha!  Even when she is at college, I can still embarrass her! Hehehehe (this being done with evil glee)!  Look for more on my wonderful adventure with Advance High School Sr. Beta Club tomorrow!  

Happy Reading, and thanks for stopping by!

Sharon