Showing Support

We wanted to show you Sarah's finished tee shirt she made for Spirit Week at school. She even made matching earrings....with Mo's football number on it. I took her and her friend up to the hospital to see him, and he just grinned from ear to ear. It was good to see him smile again. The nurses even let Bailey go in to see him which was nice because they normally don't allow anyone under 12 in to the pediatrics ward. She was so happy she got to go in. She was pouting out in the lobby, and Levetta had asked that they allow her to come see him. She got a big grin on her face when she saw him. He looked so much better today. He had a rod put in his leg last night, and Levetta had said he was sooo sick last night from the anesthesia all night long. They took his leg out of the traction, and he actually went to physical therapy today to show him how he is to use his crutches. Can you believe he won't have a cast on at all? That is kinda scary to me. I would be afraid I would bump it or something. He even said he wished he would have one on. They are still gonna keep him tomorrow at the hospital, which I was thankful of. I just hate when they rush you out of there. Hopefully he will be home on Monday.

We hope all the excitement and drama is over for now. I hope you all have a great rest of the weekend! Hugs from all of us.

Update on Moses

Moses had the pins put in his leg last night, and was put into traction. He did well through that according to his mom. I went to see him this morning, and he had a lot of pain meds in him. He was pretty groggy, but he did crack a small smile when I gave him the bags of candy that Sarah insisted that he have. I call Moses the candy man because he always is eating candy, and he knows I always have candy somewhere at my house. I told him he couldn't eat it until the doctors gave the okay. He drifted off to sleep pretty quick after that. I took dinner up to Levetta and Jeff, but when I got up there they had finally taken Moses to surgery. He is having a rod put in his leg as I type this. He will supposedly have the rod in his leg for at least a year. He obviously can't play football as long as the rod is in there. The doctors said they would see where he was after that time was up. So please continue to pray for Mo and his parents. I will update his progress once I hear more.
As far as the girls and I, we are doing well without my honey here. Todd should be home a week from today, so I am proud I haven't "lost it" yet. I just try to keep as busy as I can to make the days go faster. Bailey has a friend coming over tomorrow to play, and Sarah and her friend are going to make t-shirts to wear dur ing Homecoming week....they are putting Mo's football number on them in honor of him. I thought that was very sweet of Sarah to come up with that idea. I personally am gonna try to relax this weekend. I have once again overextended myself, and I am exhausted. I started taking my iron tabs again because I think my anemia is causing me issues again. If I don't start feeling a little more energetic soon, I am gonna have to make a doctor's appointment to have my bloodwork checked.
Well that is all for now. I hope you all have a good night.

Prayers Needed

Hello everyone. I am writing this tonight with a worried heart. Our next door neighbor, Moses, was injured pretty badly at the school football game today, and we are asking for your prayers. He has broken his femur, and is having surgery tomorrow morning to try and piece it back together. I just left the hospital, and his dad told me they are going to have to stretch the bones apart to realign them, and then put a few pins in to hold it together. He is in a lot of pain, and when I was outside his room he was crying so loud...it broke my heart. They have just given him something for pain and to help him sleep a little. He has been put in traction as well. Just please keep him and his family in your prayers, as they don't have any family in the area. I am gonna go to the hospital in the morning to be there for Levetta and Jeff, and probably bring breakfast to them. I just hope that this doesn't end his football career, because football is Moses' life. He loves the game, and it very good at it as well. I just hope all goes well tomorrow for him.
Thanks for your prayers.

4-H Banquet

Last night we went to Sarah's 4-H banquet so she could get her award for her District Competition in Perfoming Arts. I took pictures of her on stage, but they came out too dark, so I just posted the pictures of her sitting at our table. We had a nice evening, but had to leave a little early so Todd could get home and get to bed. As I type this, he is somewhere in the air over NY. He should be landing shortly, and then he is off on his long car ride to Northern Quebec. I hope you all have a wonderful day, and I will post more later in the week. I have a very busy week ahead of me with lots of running for the kids, work, volunteering, and the likes. It should make the days go by quickly for me.
Hugs to all.

Relaxing Weekend

We have had a really relaxing weekend, which I have decided was very much needed.
Sarah actually has been gone all weekend with her best friend, Anna. They went to Savannah to visit with Anna's nana, and to do some shopping. Anna has been voted on the Eighth St. Middle School's homecoming court, so she needed to go find a dress for homecoming, in hopes she will be voted "queen". As you can imagine, this is a huge event for any 13 year old girl, and being that they are best friends, it has become a huge event for Sarah as well. She should be home this afternoon. Todd has had to work all weekend from 10-10 each day since he is leaving for his moose hunt on Tuesday, he is having to cram all his work in the last few days before he leaves. So that kinda has left Bailey and I to do our own thing. Yesterday, we cleaned the house and then did some grocery shopping. When we came home, we baked cookies for Todd to take with him on his trip and then had lunch. After we had lunch, Bailey went over to her friend's house. Mary Catherine had decided she wanted her friends to come over and watch Hannah Montana together and then play for a while. So this left me some time to myself....so I actually read a book for a while and then took a nap...which is a rarity for me. I enjoyed it very much and am slowly learning to let the guilt go if I take time for me....I guess that comes with getting older. After I picked up Bailey, we went to the movies and saw Daddy Day Camp. It was a cute movie, and I think Bailey enjoyed having me just to herself. This morning, she woke up and asked if we could have a pj/movie day...just the two of us. So, I decided that God would forgive me for missing church this morning to spend time with my child...at least I hope he will....LOL. So we have sat and watched three movies so far...all kid movies, and I have to say, it is kinda fun not having any adult worries as we snuggle on the couch together. Right now, she has fallen asleep on couch, so I thought I would take a few minutes to post this. If it has been awhile since you have had a pj day, I strongly encourage it....it does good for one's soul.
Please pray for my honey as he travels on Tuesday to northern Quebec. He will leave home at two in the morning on Tuesday to catch a flight out of Jacksonville at 6am to Buffalo. He is being picked up at the airport and heading immediately up to Quebec.....which I think is a 12 hour trip by car to the camp...so he will be very tired when he gets there. Also, keep us in your prayers while he is gone. It is a little unnerving not having any contact with my husband for 10 days. I am so used to talking to him several times a day when he is home, and where he is going, there is no cell service, so it will be hard. It is also hard on the girls, as they miss him when he is gone for more than 12 hours, so 10 days is a long stretch for them. He looks forward to his annual hunting trip so much each year, so I am so glad he is going. He works hard all year and this is the one time he gets to do what he enjoys and I really know he actually relaxes when he is there. Plus he enjoys spending time with his father and brother...it is that male bonding thing!
I hope you enjoy your week. And I will post more later in the week to let you all know how we are managing without Todd.
Hugs to all!

And the Band Played on....

Hey everyone,

Here are some pictures of Sarah playing at the football game with band. The eighth grade band normally doesn't play at games like the high school band does, but her teacher, Ms. Ryan, is very enthusiastic about involving the kids as much as she can. The kids got to play at the football game this afternoon, and they did a great job. Sarah actually played her piccolo instead of her flute for the game. She had fun, Tift Co. won, and the band played very well for their first time. She really does well with band and seems to enjoy herself. I know this is a short post, but I have to get some stuff done. I just thought I would share with you what we did this afternoon.

Have a good evening.

Hugs,

Nadine

Just for fun

I got two emails today that are those "getting to know you tags". I think they are fun because you find out silly things about people that you normally wouldn't ask or think about until you see it. I thought it would be fun to post my answers here. The first one is a name game one.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Bridget Venture

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Black Raspberry Oreo

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) NCOO

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Green Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)- Ann Buffalo

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Coona

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) -The Red Key Lime Cooler

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)- Raymond James

9. STRIPPER NAME : ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) - Inis Tootsie Roll

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) - Elizabeth Stephen


The second one is more information than you probably want to know.

1. Name 4 places you have worked.
a.) Dental Office-my first job was as a dental assistant. I passed out the first day of work watching an extraction......but I hung in there and actually liked the job.
b.) Bridal Shop- the longest position I have held besides mommyhood. I was a bridal consultant for 8 years. Not as wonderful of a job as everyone thinks....not always a happy job when you are dealing with hormonal brides, disgruntled bridesmaids, overbearing mothers and pushy mother-in-laws...not to mention weight gains from when the dress was ordered and when it comes in and dealing with daddy's checkbook.
c.) JCPenney -I was a human resource clerk. Basically an office job where I processed payroll, commissions etc. I also worked in sales audit there, and enjoyed that because I got to bust employees who were stealing.......the hidden investigator in me.
d.) Preschool teacher - What I am doing now.....I guess it is a natural progression after being an at home mom for so long. This job makes me appreciate my own children, and often makes me question what the world is coming too......ahhhhh!

2. Name 4 places you have lived.
a.) Blasdell, NY - my home....or what I will always consider home. I lived there for most of my childhood through being a senior in high school
b.) Geneseo, NY - my college years.... I liked it there. Beautiful part of NY
c.) Seneca, SC - my "I am getting out on my own years" - Moved here to join Todd and get a taste of living away from home. Hated the small town but loved being with Todd....did a lot of growing emotionally here
d.) Dallas, Ga - my early marriage/mommyhood years....Bought our first home here, and started our family here. We stayed there for 13 years before moving to our present home. Loved the convenience of Atlanta being close and the weather was great there....still got cool in fall and winter.

3. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.
a.) Yellowstone/Colorado/Wyoming- went here in the early 90's. LOVED IT...mountains etc. to die for. Hoping to take the children there some time soon
b.) Bahamas -went here on our first cruise in the late 90's. Loved the cruise, but was very disappointed in the Bahamas....dirty and not what I thought it would be like.
c.) Alaska - went on a cruise here in 2002. LOVED IT....couldn't say enough good about this trip. I would recommend it to everyone. We hope to go back and do the rail and sail which would take us to Denali National Park which we didn't get to do last time.
d.) Keuka Lake, NY- My Happy Place. Spent a majority of my childhood summers here and was able to take my husband and children back there in 2005 and 2006. This is one place that I truly believe God created just for serenity. I love this lake and I love the area. I wish I could live there year round.

4. Name 4 favorite foods.
a.) pizza- preferably from NY but I will eat any pizza I can get my hands on.
b.)shrimp/crab- I don't share my shrimp with anyone. I would prefer to be eating it at a beach bar on the ocean, but beggars can't be choosers.
c.) Roast Beef on Weck- you can only get this in Buffalo and you just have to eat one to understand
d.)subs- from NY and only from NY....haven't even found one to come close in Georgia

5. Name 4 places you would rather be right now.
a.) Keuka Lake -see above
b.) Great Smoky Mountain State Park - sitting by a stream, reading a book, with the leaves falling all around me...you can throw a waterfall in there too if you want to make me completely happy
c.)In the arms of my husband, snuggling in front of a fireplace in a cabin in the mountains....anywhere
d.)With my family....happiness at its best

Okay...enough about me....I want to hear from all of you with these questions.

Fall Fun!

Aren't these the cutest little pumpkins? I am making bunches of them for teacher/friend gifts. You wouldn't guess what is inside them.....a roll of toilet paper! You just wrap a piece of fabric around the roll and tuck the excess in the middle of the roll. The stem is made of a lunch bag crumpled up and pushed down in the center. There is a green pipe cleaner wrapped around the bag with a felt leaf attached to one end and it coiled up on the other. I just think they are too cute. You could even use black felt and make pumpkin faces on them if you wanted. I just left them as pumpkins, cuz I like to decorate for the whole fall season, not just Halloween. I am probably the biggest fan of Fall! I absolutely love it....I love everything about it...it is truly my favorite time of the year. Although living in South Georgia, autumn is not what I am really used too. This is the one time of year that I really, really miss home. I miss the colors, the crispness in the air, the smells.....a pile of pine straw just isn't the same as a pile of maple leaves! So those of you who read this and are experiencing a true New England Fall.....I hate you! Just kidding....but I am jealous. So I just have to live vicariously through you and celebrate with my toilet paper pumpkins.....we can't even go and get a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch down here....Walmart here we come. I know it it pitiful. There is one patch about 45 minutes away, but the pumpkins are shipped in and they look all bumpy and pitiful. Friends of ours told us that they can't grow pumpkins down here due to the bugs......so remember how lucky you are to be able to go get a pumpkin from a real pumpkin patch! I better go now....I think I smell pine straw burning....not leaves.....heck it is still 89 degrees down here.

I hope you all enjoy your day!

Here is a card I made for the girl I work with for her birthday. I figured I better sit down and do some stamping because I haven't in a while. In fact, I even sent my brother-in-law a store bought card!!!! Say it isn't so......but deparate times called for desparate measures. Anyway, I did find some time this weekend to do this one. It turned out okay I guess. I also have been working on the cutest fall project for my girls teachers, and I will post a picture of it tomorrow. I still have to finish part of it. I am home right now with my youngest. The school nurse called me to let me know she was complaining of a belly ache and had been back and forth to the potty, so I had to go get her. Hopefully it is just something she ate because she is supposed to be taking ITBS tests this week at school and I really don't want her to have to make them up. Missing days of school is bad enough, but missing when they are testing is worse. Hopefully she will be doing well by tomorrow....keep her in your prayers. Well, I better go tend to her. I hope you all have a great day!

The Rest of the Story....

Okay...I know I was a little upset the other day, so I feel like I need to share the rest of the story with you. I emailed Sarah's teacher, and expressed in a very politically correct manner that I was not really happy with her telling the kids that they couldn't come to their parents for help. I also told her that Sarah was not getting things in her class because of the way she was teaching it (ex. just giving definitions, instead of explaining things). I did tell her that the fact that she had her "degree in education", I was extremely confident in knowing that when Sarah was going to come and see her after school for extra help, that she would be able to teach her using a different approach than she already was because I know with a "degree in education" would have given her the skills to do this. Also, I was sure that she knew that all children do not learn material in the same way. I, of course, had to throw in there that despite most of the parents didn't have a degree in education (not English), that it didn't mean we were not educated at all.

Well, I got an apology email back from her and she stated that she knew she was wrong in saying what she said to the students. She even admitted that she couldn't even help her own 8th grade son with his math homework.....really......I thought her English degree would have made her an expert in that area....silly me. Anyway, she told me that she thinks that Sarah is now getting it because she went over the definitions in class with all the students because she had gotten several emails from other parents.....I guess that means we are not all dumb, even though we may have degrees in other things.....so she decided to review it again. I was like "oh good, something must have clicked in Sarah's brain for her to get it..."

The story gets funny because Sarah gets in the car after school, and I ask her, "how did Language Arts go today because your teacher has emailed me and told me you get it now." Sarah says, "Mom, I get it because when I went into my math class, I made the comment that I was having to stay after to get help in Language Arts. My math teacher tells me she taught Language for 11 years and was there a way she could help me. So my math teacher taught me my Language Arts, and I do get it now. She showed me a super easy way to figure it out."

So the wrap up of the story is....Sarah had a different teacher show her a different way, and she gets it...with no help from the original teacher, who I must add is taking credit for it.....

All I can do is laugh.....



Enough of all that, we are spending a relaxing Saturday at home. Housework is done and we are probably gonna play a few board games together. Todd is working until 5ish and then we are going to go out to dinner with friends. We went to the high school football game last night and had a fun time. Tomorrow we are gonna do church in the morning and then who knows what. I really enjoy these slow paced weekends once in a while. Normally we are running ourselves ragged, so I am gonna take advantage while I can.



Hope everyone is doing well! Have a great weekend!

Vent!

I am really aggravated right now at one of Sarah's teachers......so bear with me. I find it truly amazing that some people think they are better than everyone else, or get off on their title. Sarah came home from school today, and told me that her Language Arts teacher told the class that they should not go to their parents for help on their homework because they don't know what they are talking about, unless they were an English major! Umm, excuse me but when did being an English major make you an expert on everything. I truly was insulted....first off, she doesn't even know me or any of the other parents. Second, Sarah is studing parts of speech....so she thinks I don't know what a noun, a verb or a direct object are? Sarah told her that I was a Spanish major, being the sometimes big mouth that she is, to which she then told Sarah that I really wouldn't know what I was talking about because Spanish was totally different than English....Excuse me but if the moron knew anything about "language" she would know that Latin is the mother language of all the romance languages...which includes English and Spanish. And an adjective is an adjective in Spanish just as it is in English! I have had probably more training in grammar in language between the obvious English classes I have had to take, but also in my ten years of training in Spanish, Latin, Italian, and French!!!! And please pardon this next comment because I know I will insult my southern born friends, so don't take it the wrong way....but I have an education from a state that is ranked in top 10 in the nation, and hers is from a state in the bottom 5 in the nation.....don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about! I am not claiming to be an expert in any area, and I know that I am wrong a lot of times, but I don't go around telling people that they are idiots when I don't even know anything about them. Also, I am really offended that any teacher tells my child to not come to me for help! I think that was the dumbest thing a teacher can say. Now those of you who know me, you know that I am a huge fan of teachers and I will do whatever it takes to support them. Heck, I am a teacher myself....grant it, I am not in the public school system, but I do know the importance of parental support and involvement in their children's lives. Telling kids to not come to their parents is so counter productive.....grrrrr! I know I am overreacting about this, but it just really struck me the wrong way. She basically has told all the children that despite the fact that they may have bachelors, masters, and PhD's in whatever that they are idiots in English. I guess her degree title makes her the all powerful and knowing. Sarah then told me she coaches the cheerleaders, which then explained it all to me....but being the smarty pants that I am, I told Sarah that she needed to tell her teacher that she needed to quit coaching the cheerleaders because she doesn't have a degree in physical education or the likes of anything remotely close to that, so the cheerleaders shouldn't listen to her because she doesn't know what she is talking about.

Okay.....I am done ranting now. Thanks for listening.

Too Cute to be Tacky!

Bailey had "Tacky Day" at school today. This is Homecoming week for Tift County, so her school is celebrating a different way each day this week. She has been so excited to finally have a tacky day like her big sister has at the Middle School. She has had this outfit, if that is what you call it, put out in her room since Friday. She would just giggle and say, "Mama, I know what else I am gonna do...." all weekend. Well, the day finally came and she is just tickled. But the funniest thing is when we pulled up to the school, out of all the kids that got out of the cars in front of us not one was dressed up. Her face was priceless..... She was like, "oh mama, do you think I am the only one? I am so embarassed." I couldn't stop laughing. When she got out, the teachers that were working carpool, told her how cute she looked, but I don't think she felt any better until hopefully she got into school and found some of her friends dressed up as well. When I got home this morning from drop offs, there wasn't any messages on the machine to bring her normal clothes, so I am assuming she did okay. It is moments like that, that just make me laugh and treasure the fun of childhood. I wish sometimes I could have that childlike attitude. Unfortunately, the grown up world tends to rob us of some to that.
Speaking of which, today being Sept. 11th, my heart still aches for the families that lost loved ones six years ago today. One of my high school friends, Margaret Wallier, was one of the casualties of that day, and I still think of her with memories of our laughs and good times in high school. I will never forget my slumber party in 8th grade, where she "licked a deodorant roll on top" on a dare during our truth or dare game. She was the biggest goof ball, and I know she is up in heaven making everyone laugh! So as you all go about your day, say a quick prayer for Margaret's family as well as all the other families who feel the same loss. And also, be sure to pray for all of our soldiers who are protecting us as we enjoy our freedoms daily. Have a great day and I hope you all find your tacky side today and laugh.....

Gone Hunting....

Today, we took a trip out to Todd's hunting land to get his blind ready and to pick up a few hunting items he is gonna need for his trip to Canada at the end of this month. Bailey decided she was gonna help Daddy get his blind up. She fearlessly climbed up the tree stand while Sarah and I kept our feet firmly planted on the ground. After we got the stuff taken care of at the hunting camp, we went to Columbus to have lunch at Olive Garden....by way of the state of Alabama.....don't ask. All I can say is that I got us a little lost, but we made it to our final destination, and that is all that I care about! LOL We had a fun day, but we are really tired and we are gonna complete our day out by putting on our pjs and watching some movies. Hope you all had a good weekend , and I hope you have a great week.

Snacks everywhere!

Hey everyone! Today I worked on snacks for my daughters class for tomorrow. It is a big deal for the kids to be in charge of the snacks for the week and I thought I would make it fun for Bailey to not only take a snack in...which I cut up fruit and made a fruit dip that my friend Beth gave me the recipe for...but I also thought it would be fun for her to give her friends a snack to take home too! Aren't these cute? I just stamped on CD envelopes and then inserted a cookie in each one. Know I didn't make all the cookies too....please....I don't have all that kind of time on my hands, but instead I visited the local Flowers Bakery and bought some bigger cookies that are all individually wrapped. It was very cheap to do these and I think it is way prettier then just a basic cookie. I am already thinking we are going to do these as treats for the shut-ins at our church, and maybe even decorate some in a Halloween motif of some sort for our "trunk or treat" we are having at church this year as well. That is where we all will park our cars in the church parking lot, open up the back of them and hand out treats to all the kids as they walk around from car to car. We live in a neighborhood that is full of elderly people and so we don't get a lot of trick or treaters....we have to improvise for the kids so they still have fun on Halloween. Hope you all are having a great day. Todd just got in from mowing our lawn...which took him 4 hours to do, so I better go make him some lunch. Talk to you all soon.

Happy Together

Here is another card I created this weekend. I love the pig and the sheep. Too cute if I don't say so myself.

Card Therapy

Okay, this is my first attempt at making an acetate card, and I loved the way it turned out. We are going to be making this card at my class on Friday. For those of you that don't know, making cards is my therapy.....I just need to create once in a while.

Here are pictures of the girls on their first day of school. These actually are from the beginning of August, but since I am just setting this site up. I am gonna try and update you on some family pictures. Sarah started the 8th grade this year. She is in the midst of true teenagehood! She is a great kid though. Bailey started the 3rd grade this year, and is a ball of energy. They grow up so fast and although they drive me crazy sometimes, I wouldn't change it for the world!! Motherhood is truly my greatest accomplishment. I could never be more proud of my girls and the beautiful young ladies they are becoming.

Here is a picture of Todd getting his 40th birthday present from me. He is going on a moose hunt at the end of September with his father, brother, and a family friend up into northern Quebec. I thought he would enjoy it. It is a Remington .338 Ultra Mag. Sounds like I know what I am talking about, doesn't it? Not really.....I had one of our friends help out in the purchase. I actually was clueless as to what he needed. But from the smile on his face, it was obvious we had done well.

Welcome to my new space!

I want to welcome everyone to my little corner of the world. I hope that you will enjoy what you see here. I am so new to all of this, but I decided I needed a place to share my thoughts, ideas and whatever else seems to pop up. I am sharing a picture of my family with you all because it is a representation of everything that makes me happy. This was on a recent camping trip we took up to Asheville, N.C. We had a wonderful time together. My husband and I are huge fans of the mountains, and hope to retire somewhere near them one day. For now though, we will enjoy the trips our family makes to them. We live in South Georgia, and the closest resemblance to a mountain we have here is a red ant hill we may find in our yard occasionally. LOL
I hope to be able to post some of my stamping projects that I make here. But for now I am going to spend the next few days trying to figure this blog thing out.
Have a great day!