Monday, Monday...

1) Out in the real world, I am not so fond of Mondays. Usually on Sunday evenings I start thinking about all of the things that I should have accomplished over the weekend but didn't. I actually get this urge to clean my house from top to bottom and get excited about conquering the whole thing on Monday. I run all of the plans through my head and look forward to the sun rising so that I can whip everything back into shape. Then the morning comes... and I don't want to do any of it. Not one thing. What is that about?

2) In blog land, I enjoy Mondays because Carissa "gets it". Somehow she knows that my brain does not function properly on the first day of the week. I suppose there are others out there that go through the same thing and it could possibly be one of the reasons that Mondays have a bad reputation. That being said, I like Miscellany Monday so that I can be as random as my brain.

3) Catching up with all of the bloggers I have missed takes a LONG time. Lots of reading, smiling, oohs and aahs. It's amazing how fast time flies in other people's lives just like it does our own.

4) We have a new sporting goods store about 10 minutes from our house. We have been watching it take shape for many months and the doors are now open.

This is the centerpiece...

And, the "stuffed" animals can be found upstairs.

It is like going to a sporting mall. They even have restaurants on each floor and while we were there, a diver was cleaning the fish tank that you walk under. Nemo was there and Dory was, too. I have never seen anything like it. 

5) The seasons are changing in Utah. In Texas... not so much just yet. We went to the football game with our Sr. on Friday night. Wind chill = 39 degrees. Rain = pouring. Equipped = NO. Crazy = YES. Back in Texas at game time = 85 degrees.

So we have gone from this...

                   

 Mirror Lake, Utah

To these...

 Wasatch Mountains, Utah

It IS such a beautiful time of year with the changing colors and the sounds of football wafting through the house...

Happy Fall Y'all

Don't forget to link up!

Miscellany Monday

Linking up with Carissa today...

1) Has anybody seen "Waiting for Superman"? It is a documentary about the failing public school system. Sound boring? It wasn't. It was actually scary. By the time the movie was over, I was sad, angry, appalled. You just can't imagine what innercity schools go through. 

I know that a large # of you bloggers out there are homeschool moms and I commend you. It just wasn't for me. I believe I would be in a hospital somewhere by now. My family agrees. (Not sure how terrible that actually is... denial.)

The movie is worth watching. If you have never heard of Geoffrey Canada or David Levin & Michael Feinburg, you simply must check this out. It is amazing what they have done for public education and yet, baffling trying to figure out why it is so hard for the rest of America to do the same.

One part of the movie I wish I could quote was about bad teachers in New York somewhere. They get sent to what is known as "the rubber room" because since they have attained tenure, they can't be fired. While these 600 teachers are there for up to 3 years, they play cards, sleep, read, etc. AND get paid their full salary!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, America...

2) Last week we had some baby calves in the pasture next door. They have been bottle fed by the neighbors and are just the cutest things. To have them run up to you (hoping you are hiding a bottle somewhere), with their baby mooing and licking the air with their LONG black tongues... well, it is one of those times when you are thankful for God's creations.

3)Finally, I have a few softball pics to share that were taken by another mom. This is where we have been spending our time, for the most part.

That's my big girl at 1st base.

After a huge tournament championship.

(My mgr. girlies are on the far left of 1st and 2nd rows.)

Tourney Champs again

(2nd and 3rd on back row)

Hope you all have a great Monday!

M is for Monday

What is it about Monday that makes it so, well, Monday?

Linking up with Carissa to share some Miscellany...



1) After some storming overnight, the weather is really beautiful today. A little extra wind but that just reminds me of Oklahoma.

2) Today marks the eighth  month that we have been without a job. Eight months of living with the in-laws. We are so very tired. We try to stay positive but each day that passes makes it more difficult.

3) Went to a wonderful softball tournament this weekend. We won, so of course that made it all better. Played against the hosting team and it was a nail biter. Too much fun!

4) Teens and attitudes. Yuk. Let me say it again just to feel better... Yuk. Actually this whole experience has been neat in the way that I see the girls more often BUT they are beginning to get on each other's nerves. And that gets on mine. If you have or have had teens, any advice would be appreciated!

More Miscellany



1) So glad the winter weather is gone. Like being home with the family but sometimes things happen. This go-round the oldest lost her cell phone... at a snowball fight with about 20 kids... at a park about the size of a football field. So much fun spending hours on end with wet cold feet. Plus side? Phone found, still on, not even wet. Only God.

2) More snow headed our way. Cell phone will stay in the car.

3) Watched a donkey and a border collie playing while I ate lunch. We have never been around so many donkeys in our lives. They are everywhere. Cute when they are newborns, though. Lots of "fuzz". Loud when they grow up.

4) Beth issued a challenge today to go the rest of the day without criticizing or complaining. Ugh. Not one of my strong points. I think God must of told her to do that. I just know it!

Link up with Carissa and post your miscellaneous thoughts today.

Have a good one!

miscellany monday

So happy to be able to link up with Carissa today!

#1 - I've said it before, but I can't help from repeating... Texas is HOT. Sweaty, stinky, nasty HOT. I'm still proud to be a Texan, though.

#2 - Pet birds are not my thing. There are times when it is pretty neat but other times when it's not (Like when you are watching a movie and they want attention so they squawk louder than the volume on the tube.) I think it must be like a grandchild... you know, love to care for them for a short period but then you can give them back.

#3 - Watching a storm come in on the lake is a lot different. The way the clouds build up and the lightning seems to go from God to the water is a sight to behold. To watch the rain come at you like a freight train is just... well... COOL. As long as you are safe indoors.

#4 - I have missed my ever-so-sweet blogging friends. It's amazing to have people praying for you that you have never actually met. To have their encouraging words and thoughtful insight is a blessing I won't ever take for granted.

#5 - Night lights are becoming a huge "like" for me. In this home there are unique lamps, lighted vases, and little nooks with overhead beams that sparkle through the dark. So soothing. Like a lighthouse for the sailor.

Don't forget to hop on over and visit Carissa and some of her friends for a bit of miscellany. 

Have a blessed day y'all!

My Miscellany Monday

Linking up with Carissa again this Monday :-)

1) Forgot to take pictures on Father's Day. Hate it when that happens! So, here's my answer:

This is 

the man,

who sat in

  this chair,

and opened

  these gifts.

(more on these another day)

But the favorite one

 might have been

 this...

2) Sheee's heeerrreee...

3) Disappointed again in Design Star this week. Nobody is standing out just yet. We are having a hard time finding someone to cheer for. Tera was a Southern gal but she's history. Now who will it be? Hmmm.

4) Having to pack away some of my faves...

my Kingsbury library

Check out Carissa's blog and some more miscellany from her friends!

I am linking up with Carissa because... well... she is one of my BBF's (best blog friend).

1) The moving boxes are late. Actually, Hubby and I had a little miscommunication. They are due to arrive today. Good thing. The clutter is bringing me down.

2) We've been hearing our neighbors on each side enjoy their pools. At what point does it become pool envy?

3) Watched the premier of "Design Star" last night with the whole family. Pretty disappointed in the white box challenge. However, this room was our favorite this season:

Tera Hampton's room

Past favorites:

Dan Vickery's box from Season 4
(our all-time fave) 

Todd Davis' box from Season 2
(our most creative vote)

4) We are needing to make a list of our creature comforts that we want to make sure and not pack in the POD. Excluding the obvious such as your bible and toiletries, what would be your Top 5?

Miscellany Monday

I am linking up with Carissa today because I love her miscellany monday posts. 

1. Miscellaneous is how my brain works most of the time. In a spaghetti bowl. Anybody ever read Men Are Like Waffles Women Are Like Spaghetti? If you haven't and you struggle sometimes communicating with your man... go and get it. It will ring true with you but most importantly, it will help your man understand why he doesn't understand you. :-)

2. Getting to do some scrapbooking this week. Actually got those excited chills when I went shopping for some paper and stickers. THOSE 2 THINGS MAKE ME HAPPY!

3. Today is my last day of freedom. I guess I should look at it as my last day to be alone. School is done. The girls will be home. Summer is here.

4. Fixin' (Yes, I am a Texan) to go try a new yogurt place with the girls as a treat for the last day. First to buy them a new book and then some Peach Wave yogurt. Sounds yummy doesn't it?!

5. I figured out that we only have 2 more Sundays with "our Andy" . At what point can I begin to mourn our loss?

Yes, this is how random I usually am on a daily basis. This is a good fit for me.