Good Ste Hunting

Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful! All that is should be - family gathering near, great food, relaxation, a little crafting, a little shopping - no Black Friday shopping! However, on Saturday I did some thrifting:

The other big deal for us this weekend was hunting.  My in-laws recently bought some hunting land in Oklahoma. We spent the Thanksgiving weekend in a cabin at Wister State Park. And Virgil got to take Stephen hunting. Stephen has hunted before, but the circumstances were never really prime. This time...they were.

[STOP READING NOW IF YOU ARE OPPOSED TO HUNTING OR SEEING DEAD DEER. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.] ;)

I'm so glad these two got to spend this time together!

3 bullets used...3 deer down. [We like to call him "Ol Dead Eye Ste"]

Stephen tagged out on Saturday. He got a buck and then two doe. Our freezers will be packed!

We will be getting a shoulder mount of his buck - a 9 point. The first deer he has ever taken!

I think he is now hooked!

So happy for you Ste!

Today's drama

I subconsciously snoozed the alarm this morning. Five times.

I was late for work. And I didn't even have time to shower. Grody.

I did, however, have time to stop at McDonald's for coffee and fruit and maple oatmeal.

I have my priorities.

Work was productive for the most part.

Except when I mailed a 6 figure check to a vendor when I was supposed to hold it for pick up.

Highlight of the day? IMing with my friend, Cindy.

We discussed, in depth, the possibility of going vegan in January.

You can laugh. It's ok.

I worked until 5 to cover for a co-worker having a dental extraction.

Of course, Stephen got out of football practice early on the day I work late.

First call:

"Can you come get me?"

"No, I'm at work. Catch a ride."

Second call:

"I can't find a ride."

"Seriously? NO ONE will give a ride?" rolling my eyes at the drama, and then "Walk to your Aunt Jill's"

Third call:

"I got a ride home, but YOU have my key and I'm locked out."

"Enjoy the outdoors! Or go to one of the neighbors or your (other) Aunt's house."

I arrive home and Stephen walks around the corner, in shorts and t-shirt, fake shivering, as if I've asked him to sit outside in below freezing weather. BTW - it's 55 degrees. AND he has a bag with him which contains sweatpants and a hoodie. [do not feel sorry for this boy!]

Oh, and that other aunt lives not even a block down the road.

Today = Drama.

I have accomplished a little creating this week; I finished my first loom knitted hat!



Hello new week

It's Monday.

I made it to work on time. Yay me.

But then I left early.

Stephen is all sicky.

I zoned out at a 4 way stop on the way home. I was sitting there like it was a red light.

Thriller was playing on the radio. That got me thinking about zombies. Which got me

thinking about The Walking Dead. Which got me thinking about bug out bags... you get the point.

Rabbit Hole.

So the lady behind me gave me the looooooooonnnnggg honk.

I drove. She zoomed around me, staring me down and holding her hand up in the air.

Well, bless her heart.

I didn't create at all this weekend.

I did supervise Stephen's creation of the Alaskan State Flag using a

pillowcase, paint, stencils and brushes.

That was fun!

Homework that gives me a chance to craft with my 15 year old boy is rad.

Totally.

Niecee-Poo Katrina turned fifteen yesterday.

These kids need to STOP growing up.

Sad to say I have not fluffed the inside of my house for Fall. Sad. Very Sad.

But, I'm going to this week. Even it is for just a short time period.

Need it. Want it. LOVE it!

And, I'm going to craft something too.

I will.

♥



Friday

It's Friday. Yay! Football. Band. At my alma mater. WooHoo!

The weather is fallish and fine. Though, I'm ready for some cold. Yes, it's early November. In Texas. But, unh, still. [imagine a stomping foot]

Last year we had no winter. No Snow. NO Snow!

Now I have scenes of White Christmas running through my head. I'm on a train with Bing Crosby. Singing.

I'm Rosmary Clooney. ♪ ♫ NOoooooo SNooooW! ♪ ♫

I'd totally dig a Vermont style snow. Right here in North Texas. Yeah buddy.

♦

Weekends. I love them! Stephen and I are working UNT Concessions tomorrow to help raise money for band boosters. A.LOT. of our time is taken up with band. It's cool. He digs it. Therefore, I dig it. Virgil will be at the hunting land. Getting ready for the Thanksgiving weekend hunt. Hope my boys get a deer. Mostly hope they enjoy the male bonding stuff. Weird.

Stephen texted me from school earlier this morning, "Will you plz make big red ice-cream this weekend/:0/"

Umm...kick some butt on the football field tonight and we'll see, buddy.

Seriously though. He's requesting Big Red ice cream. In November. We need COLD.

And hot chocolate.

Big Red ice cream is for summer. July. To keep us from melting.

♦

I want need to craft this weekend. Must finish the hat I'm loom knitting. Start a new hat. Sew a couple of Zippy Strippy Blankets, and start on a batch of little somethings I'm making for the little men in my life.

Love my nephews and great nephews.

So glad I'm past the 2 yrs old and younger stage of parenthood. Whew!

♦

Also want to make something yummy. Too bad a grocery store has to be involved.

So going to be a Stephen chore when he gets his license.

:)

October Celebrations

Football, band, birthdays, our wedding anniversary and, of course, Halloween makes October a busy month for celebrations. I posted about Stephen's 15th birthday - a casual affair at CiCi's pizza. 

The was another birthday in our little family in October. That's right...I turned 40!

My family gave me a birthday party at a local restaurant. I love gathering with my siblings and nieces and nephews. They definitely are part of my JOY! My sisters provided a special birthday hat...they are just SOooo funny! {eyeroll}

Virgil and I also celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on the 26th. Not only do we LOVE each other, we totally LIKE each other too! ;)

It has become a bit of a tradition for me to make Halloween costumes for a couple of my great nephews. It thrills me. I know as they get older they will most likely want dress in commercial costumes, so I truly cherish this time while they are little.

This year Aiden was a Jack-O-Lantern and Jaxon [his first Halloween!] was a dinosaur.

Aiden with his mommy, Hannah



Jaxon with his mommy and daddy, Colleen and Eric

Aww, what the heck...here are some more!



We enjoyed a weiner roast and handing out candy at sister Jill's house again this year. Love this tradition.

I didn't see this cutie until the end of the evening. My beautiful niece Megan was a Native American princess:

Unfortunately, I missed getting a picture of my nephew Sam. He was an awesome looking Iron Man!

October is done!

Now bring on the turkey.

Fifteen

October 23, 2012



At fifteen you like tuba music, bass music, football (playing, not watching and games, not practice), to laugh, humorous videos, fishing, hunting, reptiles, trapping things in our backyard, giving me a hard time, heckling your dad, cash, scooping avocado with triscuits, tres leches cake, G2s, baggy tshirts, tennis shoes, hanging with dad and me, rainy days, snuggling under the quilt I made Grandma Roberts,The Walking Dead, Fringe, The Office, and anything with Jack Black.

You are funny. You love to laugh and make others laugh. You are helpful and kind. Smart and hardworking. Talented and Active. You rarely get into teenage snits. You're messy and disorganized. Loving and warm.

You are my son and I love you.



Completely Smitten

I saw this pillow at Target yesterday and I am

completely smitten!



Yes. It did come home with me.

And my guys totally gave me a hard time about it.

#toomuchtestosteroneinthishouse

:)

Ladies Fall Get-a-way 2012

This past weekend my sisters, an aunt, a cousin and me headed out for our annual ladies weekend. We started the tradition four years ago. To say we look forward to this time is an obvious statement!

 

Many texts are exchanged in the weeks leading up to departure:

"What are taking to wear?"

"Are you bringing your crochet?"

"I picked up 4 bottles of wine today!"

"I hope we see a bear!"

"I wish we were leaving today."

"10 days Bitches!!"

{good times}

Five women. All good times. Competely comfortable with each other. No competition (not real, anyway), no comparison, no judging, no faking, no pressure.

Relaxation. Plain and simple.

 This year we headed to Angel Fire, NM. 

The aspens were golden. Pockets of glorious sunshine nestled among the dark evergreen of the pines and spruces.

I love the bark of the aspen trees. Back in our dating days my husband carved our initials in the bark of an aspen tree. We're still hoping to go back and find that tree someday.

Every bend in the road offered up a breathtaking view of the shimmering aspens. There were some shots I didn't get because I was focused on observing and absorbing the experience with every sense possible.

There were some lovely critters around our cabin.

 But, no, we never saw any bear!

One day, we drove to Red River to visit Oktoberfest and eat lunch at Old Tymer's Cafe.

I recommend the cheeseburger, add guacamole!

We drove through Bobcat Pass on our way.

My sissy, Carla, and me on a windy, sunshiny day!

Cousin Maudi, Aunt Vickie, Sisser Jill!

With all the golden aspens, I was surprised to see this one still green.

Due to the lovely Autumn season, I'm afraid the pines didn't get much of my attention.  But, they were gorgeous too. {don't worry pine trees..your season is coming!}

And as much as I love our get-a-way (and my mind is racing with ideas for next year), I am glad to be back home with my guys. I kinda like them a lot!

~♥~



Gift Wrap Idea

Today my sweet niece, Megan, turned 10! Double digits! I'm not happy about how quickly she is growing up. Not.At.All! 

 

We celebrated at the little pizza joint in town - Pirate's Island. Note to self: Don't order nachos for dinner at a small town pizza joint. Even if the owner insists he has EVERYTHING he needs to make them. I was expecting a super nacho variety, and some real cheese.  What I got was tortilla chips, canned cheese and jalapenos. Luckily I was headed to a football game so the fare kind of fit! :)

I've slept about 7 hours in the past 48. I got home from work today, finished up band goody bags for the football game tonight, ran Ste to the band hall, sat in my recliner and promptly fell asleep. I work up and realized I was late for Meg's party and I still needed to wrap her gift.

And then I remembered I had no wrapping paper!

I scrounged around my craft room and found a roll of brown shipping paper. I grabbed the scissors and tape, some twine, paper doilies, construction paper and glitter. And this is what I came up with: 

I think it turned out pretty cute! Meg can even hang the M in her bedroom.

I would, however, suggest giving yourself enough time to let the glue dry. My M was still a little mooshy at gift opening time! ☺

Small Town Parade: Pioneer Days 2012

I always enjoy parade day! I definitely drink the Kool-aid of excitement. Small town parades are filled with emergency vehicles, local politicians, kiddos with their various organizations, and horses!

I got to watch the parade with my sweetie niece Megan.

Here's a few of my favorite parts; heavy on the marching band of course!



There's my favorite tuba player!





My handsome nephew, Cole. I couldn't move fast enough to get a front view! :)