Daytona already?

Christmas has been over for 4 days. I haven't finished taking down the decorations. When Zach and I were cleaning up last night somehow we missed the garland on the handrails on the stairs, go figure!

Yesterday I ended up getting home a little earlier than expected. I thought I would take the candles out of the windows. Then it just kind of steamed rolled from there and before I knew it we had the tree undecorated and out of the house. It made me a little sad because I like to leave the tree up a long time. At least until it gets dangerous! Now it is sitting in the garage waiting to be recycled. The first year Brian and I were married we kept our tree until Valentines. Anyway, I said all that to say this...I thought ahead and didn't want to spend all New Years Day cleaning so I thought I would start early with the decorations. Before I knew it, it is almost done and mostly packed away!

I was putting JB's basketball schedule in my calender book-I love my calender book-I would be lost without it-and Daytona came up. He says "mom, will I have to miss school when me and dad go to the race?" That is two months away and he is thinking racing already! Good grief! That boy is a mover. JB, Brian and Cydney are going to Daytona. If they stay for the 500 G and I will already have left for our ski trip. That means I won't see them for a week! That is wierd! Cyd is excited because Kasey Kane is driving a Ford this year. I think he's still a loser but she thinks he's cute!

What else is happening. Nothing. Grayce is at a friends in Hawkinville so at some point I have to make the trek over there. The only good thing in Hawkinville is the Johnsons. Maybe I will call them and tell them to have supper ready! Go, me!

Ford Credit hasn't been around in about a week. They will probably show up tomorrow. They have no mercy! Work is okay. Up and down. The funny thing is one day you pull in and the lot is full of cars and I am thinking"how much is this costing" and the next day it is nearly empty again. It is amazing how that inventory fluctuates.

Melissa is coming tomorrow. JB is so excited. He said earlier he was coming home and going to bed so when he woke up Brance would be here. Lissy said she was packed and ready to go. We will see. I promised him and Brance they could go back to Lissys house before school started back. Now it is almost going to be impossible because we have waited too late. I have to figure out how to explain that to JB!

Enjoy the sunshine. I think were in for a couple of yikky days!

We have carpet in the den!

Digging thru the mess in the den, I found the carpet. I thought it was probably still there but in the last few days I have only seen bits and pieces of it!

G and I went to the mall today to return a present from Santa. Luckily Santa leaves receipts! Everything is so picked over. She wanted to shop at old navy and they didn't even have anything in her size.

She had to stop at krispy kreme donuts. She would probably eat the whole dozen if I didn't remind her to save some for the others. And that girl can suck down a dr pepper!

Brian went to Sunday school. The rest of us played hooky. Why? I don't have a reason! He has gone to the woods now. G is at Carolines, JB is playing with Justin and Cyd is getting ready to go see Chelse because its her birthday.

I am going to cook supper on my new George Formen grill I got for Christmas!

My friend Shannon and her kids were with us all day yesterday. I miss her so much. I didn't try to talk her into moving back but she said she was coming back to visit soon. I will get her then!

Well, I said it one day last week. Life is pretty boring right now. G starts basketball next week and JB starts back pretty soon so we have to enjoy the down time while we can!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Wayne and Margarett--you can not get them to be still for a picture! Wayne had skin cancer burned off his face so he is looking a little rough.

Kaylie, Marc and Lynns daughter

Lynsey, Brilyn and a friend-Lynns oldest daughter and her baby.

James Brian and his wrestling belt--He is now known as the Champ!

Marc, Lynn and Hayden

Brian has just about had it with me and the camera-I dont' care! He doesn't scare me. Its my camera!

Dinner on Christmas Eve. Cydney had the camera.

Grayce still wants to be a doctor.

Cydney and Jacob. Doesn't he look like me!

Who give a 6 year old boxing gloves?

Cyd and Zach on Christmas eve.

Grayce and MacKenzie wrapping bon que que.

Jacob and Brandi, his mom, Michael's wife.

Brian gave me a leg lamp for Christmas. Yes my bedroom and my dining room are both red.

Coach Rob and Pam.

David, Kathy and Kaya. David is sitting on a toy box. He is short but not that short!

Without the excitment of this holiday and all the commerical stuff I have tried to remind my children and make them aware of what today really is! I hope you keep that in mind today and everyday.

My friend Shannon made it down from Tennessee. We had a nice visit. She brought the children so all the kids had a big time. I am going to see her again tomorrow. She doesn't have to go home unti Sunday morning. I miss you Sha Na Na!

We had a great time last night with our friends the Andersons and the Hills. I was dreading all the work to have company but we got the house cleaned pretty good the night before. Cydney kept JB and Justin most of Wednesday and worked in the house finishing up while I worked at WMF. Then on Thursday I just did a few things to finish preparing supper and we were finished. We ate off paper plates so all the trash got thrown away and the kitchen was cleaned before anybody left.

What a wonderful day we have had today. Zach spent the night. He had so much fun being around a big family for this day. All the children are happy with their Santa. We have taken most of the trash out. Everyone is still in the middle of going thru their gifts so we won't have all the trash out for days. So far we only have to swap JB's northface jacket for the next size up and swap G's purse for either a different color or another purse. That is pretty easy!

The children didn't get up until 7:00. Brian cooked breakfast and even volunteered to clean up the kitchen but I did because he cooked bacon and I wanted to make sure it was all cleaned up! (While he cooked I got to take a nap!)

We all went to daddys and Margaretts for lunch. Melissa and Eric's families couldnt' be there today so there was a little void without them. I think WM and MM are going to Alabama next weekend. I just don't think I want to make that trip. I know I dont' want to make it with everyone. Mostly because when I go I don't want to have to share Walker and Breanna with WM and MM!

We are home early today. Well early for a Christmas Day. I am always amazed at the hours you put into something and it is over in such a short time!

Merry Christmas and To all a Good Night!

It's getting Closer

I don't know that the girls are really excited. They are more interested in the company we are having tomorrow. Cydney chose to stay home instead of working today. She did all the laundry, mopped the floors, vacuumed the kitchen rug, unloaded the dishwasher, reloaded and washed the left over dishes. That sure shortened my list of things to do. Grayce is dusting right now. I am going to put away the laundry and Brian is going to vacuum the rest of the house. Maybe we should have company more often!

I have all my shopping done, packages wrapped and under the tree! Yea, me! Tomorrow is snacking all day at the dealership. Customers have been bringing in food like crazy. Tonight it was a ham and a pound cake and homemade fudge. The pecan pies from yesterday are in the fridge waiting for tomorrow!

My friend Shannon is coming tomorrow. She doesn't want to miss the food! I am so looking forward to seeing her.

I guess I better go finish that laundry!

Its Starting to look alot like Christmas...

All the cousins, except Little Jerry, with their framed colored picture.
Michael and Jacob.
Grandmomma holding Jacob.
Cydney holding Jacob. No wonder the child doesn't walk!
Cydney and Pams daughter Alissa. The picture doesn't do her justice. She is a beautiful child.
My knuckle head cousin had to be funny and messed up the whole picture.
Me and Melissa. Not too good of her. But its my camera!
Liss, Grandmomma and I.
Lissy, Mom and Me!
Just the boys.
All the grandkids, Cydney, Grayce, JB, Brance, Annie and Jacob.
Zach and Cydney on the way. Everyone was tired because they hot home after midnight from wrestling.
JB with his prized WWE belt Mary gave him for Christmas.
Cydne and Zach.
Our family with Mary and Glenn, (Brian's mom and her husband)


We left early Sunday morning for a trip around the world. Brian, myself, Cydney , G, JB and Zach went to Mary and Glens for early lunch and then to have Christmas.

We had so much fun. Zach just jumped right in and everyone was sweet to him. Mary had a great lunch and I got real pillows. They even have they company name stitched on them. I have only had walmart pillows so I am pretty excited about my pillows.

Then we went to Peggys to eat again. Grandmomma looks really good except she doesn't act like herself and it makes me sad. She had pulled a picture out of a coloring book that all her grandchildren had drawn and gave each one of a framed copy of our picture. It was really emotional.

Melissa and I had more fun playing with the camera and taking pictures of ourselves. But remember its my camera!

JB went home with Melissa and Annie is with me. She and G have played really well today. JB was coming home on Tuesday but now he has changed his mind and is staying until Wednesday. I am not loving this. I miss him terribly.

I guess thats all so far.

What do you really need to know?

I can't keep up anymore. Melissa just keeps on blogging every few days and I just don't even think about it. Every now and then someone will say something funny and I think I can blog that and then I forget again.

One of the children did say...I can believe in Santa but that tooth fairy is something else!


Brian, JB, Cyd, G and Zach are going to wrestling tonight. Brian ask me to go and I said please don't ask me to do that. He said you are going to be home, alone! Yep and I am so excited about it!

I am going to run some errands and do the things that haven't been getting done and then read my book until I fall asleep.

Tomorrow, Sunday, we are going to Marys early and then to my aunt Peggys house. Everyone goes on this trip. Including Zach.

I had dinner for Zach and his grandmother last weekend. She was so sweet. We just had the best visit and she made herself at home.

Grayce and JB are playing basketball. G isn't getting as much playing time as she would like. We had to remind her that she did make the team. All the players are about the same in talent. She is just smaller than all of them. She also didn't play last year so I think that makes a difference. I really want to get angry about it but in this case she isn't better than them so I try to keep a happy face and remind her she has to earn her way. JB is only practicing. I think his games start after the first of the year. Cydney isn't playing any sports right now. Soccer doesn't start until February.

The girls had exams last week. Cydney has lost her sports car priveleges. Not because she doesn't make good grades but because she doesn't study. G is still getting help with the math tutor and she cried because she made a 78 on her math exam. Those children are so different.

I am working all the time. Ford Credit is driving us all crazy. I go to curves when I can.

We have such a pretty Christmas tree this year. JB decorated almost the whole thing by himself. He is really proud of it!

I am still going to the PJL board meetings. They are so silly. It is funny to watch grown people fussing over the stupidest things. I might have said this already but I had no idea how much went on behind the scenes. I don't know if it is a one year or a two year stint but I am pretty sure this is going to be it for me.

JB had a Christmas party at school last week and I missed it. I thought it was Thursday and it was on Wednesday. I get the mother of the year award. He didn't much care but it made me sad.

All our Christmas is finished and wrapped and under the tree. Now we just wait! I don't know if it is harder on me or the children. JB can keep a secret better than any child I have ever seen. Not me. I have to wait until the last minute or I will tell!

Good Night!

Adding a few pictures....

Cydney and JB at the Parade before the Fair begins!

JB and Hayden playing at the dealership.

Our truck made the front page of the newspaper.

Grayce as the baby girl cow during the parade.

G is the new cook of the family!!!

I am a good cook. I learned from watching my mom and grandmothers who were and still are excellent in the kitchen.

My mom came down several months ago and always cooks chicken and dumplings for us. I never bother with it. Thats mommas thing. Well G got fired up on cooking and ask mom how and she told her. G has been bugging me for a couple of days about it. I don't really love people in my kitchen but we went to the store last night to buy the stuff and I am telling you that girl tore it up! G, JB and I ate all the dumplins so now we have to make another trip to the store so she can fix more for Brian and Cydney. I am so proud of her! She fixed only dumplings. We don't love the chicken part, I know thats silly but it is even better without chicken!

Grayce had her first school basketball game today. She was a little down because she didn't get to play the whole game but she did get to play some and even scored once so she is feeling okay about it. We try to encourage her and remind her that not all the girls that tried out made the team and she did takes someones place from last year because she didn't play at school last year. She is just used to being the star! We also reminded her that all the girls that made the team hussle. This isn't rec ball. If they weren't good players they wouldn't made the team! It will happen she is a good athlete.

Cydney worked on a project with her friends at another friends house today. Now she has gone to the varsity bb game at school then back to her friends to try again on the project. I was trying to watch the Florida game but haven't gotten to it yet. I like Tim Tebow!

I will let you guess what JB is doing....playing with Justin.

Brian is still at work and I should go do something productive. I cleaned out my purse isn't that enough productiveness for one day!

Wow, its quiet at our house tonight!

Cydney is out with Zach, Grayce and Brian have gone out for the night(to eat supper and get basketball shoes), James Brian is playing with Justin downstairs and I am putting color on my hair.

I think the boys must be watching the NASCAR banquet on tv, its awfully quiet down there!

We have had one of those weeks at work where I feel like I have just been spinning my wheels. I have been there everyday but I don't know what I was able to accomplish. Maybe I will go in Sunday morning before church and finish my the financial statement. I have five out of state titles left to do. I did one today that I think took all day long. It is crazy how many cars we sell out of state. Michael even sold a mustang to a guy in Spain.

Nothing much else is happening. I didn't have anything to do while the color sits on my hair for 25 minutes!

Okay, activities are starting to pick up!

I was going to curves this morning but I was scared I wouldn't be to work early enough and Ford Credit would be waiting on me so I skipped. Now I have to go Thursday and Friday, yuk! Guess what, they were waiting on us.

Brian did a great job. No violations. Stressful day but no trouble!! Good job B!

Wayne ordered pizza for lunch which was good at the time until I remember I have Perry Junior League tonight now I get to go sit with everyone smelling like garlic! Maybe it will keep the werewolves away!

G made a 90 on her pre-algerbra test. Monday we went to tutoring on the otherside of Macon. $20.00 and 3 hours later. (it took nearly an hour to get there and an hour home). She was more confused than ever! She couldnt' get comfortable...he had two dogs and a cat in the house....she didn't see a female but saw fitness magazines and hello kitty stuff everywhere....the kitchen was blue...the house smelled bad. What she didn't know was I was sitting in the driveway where I could see everything but she was still uncomfortable. So we come home and she is balling. So I call my next door neighbor who is a teacher and she gives me another tutor, she wasn't available before, but now she has finished cheerleading, and she comes to our house and 8:00 at night and doesn't even charge us. G loved her. Her attitude is great and she doesn't mind algebra today! Thank God for small favors! But after the tutoring in Macon we had to go to Michaels for supplies for a project due in two weeks. No waiting to the list minute for this child!

Now we are practicing basketball until 3:45. G has a game in Macon on Saturday at 9:00, JB has bb practice at 10:00 in Perry, we have a baby shower Sunday and a birthday party. Cydney is such a big help. She will take JB to practice and to the baby shower and I will take the game and the birthday party!

Brian should be home by 7:30 so he can stay with the little ones while I go to my meeting, smelling like garlic!

I have done three courtesy deliveries this week at work. (that is delivering a car and doing the paperwork for a leasing company that sells to perdue farms or other big companies that have lots of locations).

I have laundry in my floor that needs to be folded and JB wants to wear the same pair of jeans everyday so I have to go wash them everynight! I know go get another pair. Tell me when I am supposed to fit that in!

We got our tree up. It has Charlie Brown christmas written all over it. Actually the girls picked it out and it is really pretty but James Brian and Justin put ALL the ornaments on it so it is a little weighted down.

Right now the house smells like burnt something because I was boiling water in the pan I grilled chicken in to loosen up the stuck stuff, I forgot about it and all the water dried up and the left over food stuck and burned, yum, yum!

I talked to my grandmother on the phone. She sounds good but she just sort of skips around. She keeps wanting to go home. She fell again and Peggy just keeps telling her it isn't going to happen. I wished I could fix it. It tried to get her to come here she didn't want to but she would really be messed up here. I couldn't sleep worrying about her and the steps!

Cyd is on her way to church with Anna and Jessica. I guess I better do something productive!

I still have some more pictures, I just remember JB program at school. I have to get Brian to help me.

Enjoy the rain....