Just a little hello~

Just thought I would drop in a few lines to say hello! I have missed all of you very much! It does look like I'll have to wait till mid Feburary till I get a new computer. Ami, thank you for your letter. It really made me feel good to hear from everyone! Yes, a hand written letter is a lot like a Hug or Hand shake. I'll except it as a hug from you. I'm still going to rewrite you because I have something to tell you that will make you giggle, but just haven't had the time.
karisma, sweety I haven't forgot about you! Thank you bunches for my gifts. I love the scarf! I loved it all, but the scarf has come in handy!
Hugs to all!
Hope to see yall soon!

My computer died

SundY and I'm not sure how long it will be till I can get another one.. More than likely February. Ami, I got my package!!!! Thank you so very much. Sorry I can't put it up on the web, but my computer died! I will try to use my brother's computer from time to time, but more than likely it wont be much.
Hugs to all & Merry Christmas!!!!
PS. Ami, you are a doll! You just made 2 girls very happy!!!!

Just a few days till Christmas!

Oh My Gees! It's only 5 days till Christmas! I haven't even started any of my Christmas candy or cookies. I haven't even made any spice tea! Maybe later on today KB & I will go to momma's and start making some. Here are a few recipes for your Holiday Cheer!




CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
2 c. peanut butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 stick butter
3 c. Rice Krispies

Mix well. Make into small balls. Chill thoroughly.
In top of double boiler melt:

1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1/8 cake paraffin

Easy Chocolate Fudge
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.)Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 can (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

LINE 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with foil.

COMBINE morsels and sweetened condensed milk in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Warm over lowest possible heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in nuts and vanilla extract.

SPREAD evenly into prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.

Pretzel Turtles
INGREDIENTS
20 small mini pretzels
20 chocolate covered caramel candies
20 pecan halves

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one chocolate covered caramel candy on each pretzel.
Bake for 4 minutes. While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Divinity Recipe
2 2/3 C. sugar
2/3 C. light corn syrup
1/2 C. water
2 egg whites
1 t. vanilla
2/3 C. coarsely chopped nut

Cook sugar, corn syrup and water (use 1 tablespoon less water on humid days) in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking, without stirring, to 260° F. on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a hard ball that holds its shape but is pliable.

Beat egg whites in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Continue beating while pouring hot syrup in a thin stream into egg whites, beating constantly on medium speed. (For best results, use electric stand mixer, not a portable handheld mixer since beating time is about 10 minutes and mixture is thick.) Add vanilla. Beat until mixture holds its shape and becomes slightly dull. (Mixture may become too stiff for mixer.) Gently stir in nuts.

Drop mixture from buttered spoon onto waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature at least 12 hours, turning candies over once, until candies feel firm. Store in airtight container.

Southern Pecan Pie
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
2 T margarine- melted
2 eggs
2 T flour
1 tbs vanilla
1 cup Karo (light corn syrup or if your prefer dark corn syrup)
1 cup pecans
Pastry pie shell
Mix eggs well then add sugar, margarine, eggs, flour, vanilla and Karo. Blend very good and add pecans. pour in pie dish. Cook 30-35 mins @ 375 degrees.

Candy Cane Cookies
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely crushed candy cane mixed with 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Mix all ingredients. Split dough into equal portions. Color one portion of the dough red. Refrigerate the dough long enough to be able to easily work with it. Break off one piece (approx. one teaspoon of each color) and roll by hand into four to five inch tubes. Twist the two pieces together and bend forming a candy cane. Sprinkle the top with the candy cane/sugar mixture. Be careful when removing from the cookie sheet, they will break easily. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-9 minutes.
****************
Hope you enjoy some of my recipes. I can't find the spice tea recipe at this time, but I will try and share later.
Hope you all have a Wonderful Week end!


(Click links for a little country Christmas music)
Christmas In Dixie
Leroy The Redneck Reindeer

A quick run down of my week.

When momma got put in the hospital almost everyone in our family got sick with sotra the same mess. Dan & the kids; Sam, his wife, kids & grandkids; My Mike & David. Same thing happened last February, all them got the Flu, but me. I have been staying with mom since she got home till 8 AM -7or 9 PM because everybody was sick. We found out that her meds were part of the reason for her mind. Her antibiotic was reacting to one of her breathing meds making it stronger. I kept asking if it was this one med, but everybody told me I was wrong and I didn't know that the antibiotics could do that to it. Turns out that all my research was headed in the right direction. I carried her back to the DR Monday for her 2 week check up from the hospital. They wanted her finish her antibiotics and hope she didn't have another flare up, but this time of year is so hard.
I don't cry often and I don't mad easy. If I do get mad I'm usually over it after I have been a sleep. Friday I woke up with PMS or something! I was on an emotional roller coaster! Mostly crying a drop of a hat, but hit me just right and I would take your eyes out with even blinking. I have no idea, except maybe it was a sign I was getting sick. I haven't had major PMS in a long time. I'm trying my hardest to deal with my state of mind when momma called our EX pastor's wife and told her she wanted to clear the air before she past. To my surprise, I had been accused of a lot more. She even told mom she was welcome back and when momma told her she couldn't without me; she told momma that she was sorry she felt that way. Oh, this so much hurt and I cried! I did a good job of hiding it from mom. If her mind wasn't so cloudy or whatever she would have noticed. To make a long story short, it felt good to have a good cry and LET IT GO! Plus, I guess I was getting sick. Just when I thought it had passed me I was wrong. I woke Saturday feeling bad, but thought it was from crying. Sunday I couldn't stop sneezing, but we had a great BD for JB. I have a picture of his cake I made below, but camera died before I could get any more.
I had to go to the DR Monday because I had a fever. I hope I didn't re-infect momma in all this. My niece was really sweet she took care of momma today to let me rest. Maybe I'll have more time later this week to blog and visit! I am feeling better thank you!






"The secret of getting started is breaking
your complex, overwhelming tasks into
small manageable tasks, and then
starting on the first one."
- Mark Twain
Gosh! I need to listen to this one and apply it!

Happy 14th Birthday JB!!!!

"Happy Birthday Day" my JB! I may not like your kind of music, but that is okay. Momma is dedicating this song to you! I Love you!

Dear John,

You are the lowest form of the male species I know. I was not going to give you the pleasure of letting you know how big of a Jack Ass you are, but you finally pissed in my cheerios! You are a poor excuse for a human live form going around people's blogs and leaving your advertisement there. You’re even a bigger coward making your blog private for people can't come and ask you to leave them alone. You must be a lonely sick person going from blog to blog that has word verification. I'm not asking, I'm telling you to leave me and my friends alone!!!!!

A Lovely Award

Ami got this award the other day. She didn't name anyone out, but said that the one's that know she loves them could have the award. Well, I know Ami loves me. We have been dear friends for over 4 years and she has gave me 2 lovely buttons on my side bar. They are hand drawn I might add. I love her bunches also! Thanks girl!
I'm going to be like AMI and not name just one person. If you comment here or I comment on your blog and you haven't received this from anyone else, please feel free to take. I just can't think to leave out anyone and as soon as I start naming blogs I know I will, plus for the sake of time. I'm gone to check in on momma, but I will be back to visit all you later!
Take care and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Update on me & some more Christmas Cheer

Today is better. I didn't get much rest yesterday, but I did make a big dent in the house. That in itself makes me feel better and I really needed the break. I felt bad about not going to momma's yesterday, but Rocker Dude and Da Da was there. They couldn't give her a bath, but they were there for other things she needed. I'm going to call her Dr in the morning and see if they will explain things to me.
I'm still torn between putting KB back in school or not next year. Rocker Dude will go to ICC to get college credits as a high school student. It will be just KB here, but taking care of momma I’m not able to any extras with her. All we have done this year is the basics; no co op, field trips or anything else fun. She is missing out on hanging out with kids her age, even though she isn't complaining, it still bothers me. Who knows, next year maybe completely different and we can do more. KB sort of wants to back to school, but that is just because of friends. She doesn’t want to go back and get picked on again like she did her 1st 3 years. I know everything happens for a reason and things will work out, but I still can't help but to worry over it.

Elvis Presley I'll Be Home For Christmas

oh holy night mariah carey

Elvis Presley-Silver Bells

Little Drummer Boy

Holiday Cheer

Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas

Jingle Bells

Pretty Paper Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson White Christmas

amy grant - winter wonderland

Joy To The World

Christmas Shoes (by: Newsong)

Mary Did You Know

I'm not going to lie, this week has been very hard. I really don't what's going on with mom's mind. She will act childish or funny then she will snap out of it. She realizes this is happening, but she can't control it and it bothers her. I feel like sitting down crying, but don't have the time. Maybe if I understood what was going on I could handle it better, but I don't know. That's my momma. I'm sorry to dump a load here, but I had to get some of it out.
Hope you enjoy your Christmas songs and hope they bring some Joy to you.

A little Holiday fun

Your Christmas Sprit Level: 80%

Your Christmas spirit is almost as big as Christmas itself. Christmas is definitely your thing. You celebrate Christmas with enthusiasm. You love every minute of the holidays. Your Christmas spirit is inspiring to everyone who runs into you during the holidays. You make everyone's day just a little bit brighter. And that's what the holidays are all about!

Do You Have the Christmas Spirit?

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

I won and another give a way!

Guess what? I won this over at Heather k's Blog and she is having another give a way! Aint she the sweetest! The name of her give a way is Give Away Day Hurray!
Don't be shy, go on over at Heather's and check it out!
Good Luck!!!!!! :)
HURRY because it ends on the 4th!

Mom is home & a night with KB!

Momma came home from the hospital yesterday. The Dr said she had the H-Flu. (H flu is among the most common cause of ear infections and sinus infections. These bacteria can cause many other types of infections including septic arthritis, pneumonia, meningitis, and conjunctivitis. Haemophilus influenzae (H flu) are common bacteria that cause a wide variety of infections) It's not the virus, but bacteria.
Momma is feeling much better. I had to sit at the hospital 6 hours yesterday waiting for her discharge, then took her home and got her settled. After getting her home I went and got her medicines. I rushed home to get supper started, and then I walked KB up town for she could see the parade. The boys didn't want to go, but I couldn't let her miss out just because they think they are too grown. LOL! (They just think!) We missed the first minutes, but really enjoyed the rest. Last year the boys walked her up there because I was sick and the year before it was so lame! I had said I wasn't going back, but I was glad I took her last night. It was really enjoyable and having that little time with her was great! KB is growing up so fast! I haven’t got to do a lot of things with her as I would like this year because of momma, but I guess it is in the little things that count.
KB & I are going to make a few home made Christmas gifts this year. Since my sewing machine is broke I guess I better get my creative juices flowing. LOL! We have one idea, but I bet she will want to do more.
Not sure how much computer time I will have this week since momma is home, but I promise to get around and visit as soon as I can.
Hope You have a Happy!
PS. I forgot to take our camera, so pictures of the parade. I sure wished I did though.

"For every failure, there's an alternative course
of action. You just have to find it. When you
come to a roadblock, take a detour."
- Mary Kay Ash

Holiday Meme

Ami tagged me for this meme. I pasted a blank copy of this at the end for it will be easy on you like Ami did for me and others she tagged. Isn't she just the sweetest!
I'm not going to tag anyone since Ami and I have so many of the same people on our Blog list, but if you would like to play just leave me a note for I can come and visit your meme.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. You can always find
it on sale for hardly nothing at the
end of Christmas.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real! I love that smell!

3. When do you put up the tree?
We try to get it up by the 1st of
December and no later than the 2nd week.

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Years Day

5. Do you like eggnog? NO!!!!!!!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Roller Skates! They were the best even
though I got a new pair every year!
That's what I wanted!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Mmmmmm? Can't think of anyone.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My kids! They are so easy to please.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Not any more, but when my mom passes
I will have 3. That sounds bad,
but that subject is hard on my mind
and I can't shake it since she has
almost died the last 4 winters.
Around Christmas till March.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Both! I have a few Internet friends
that I don't know their home address
so, I e mail them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A box of giant Cracker Jacks from my dad.
My older brothers got weights, Da Da got Hot Wheels
and my step sister got a fur coat. I don't know why!
I do know that my dad and I were able to make mends
before he passed.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Christmas Shoes

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I am usually done by know, but I really don't
want to talk about Christmas this year.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Fudge, peanut butter balls and divinity

16. What decorations are on your tree?
Mostly things the kids and I have made
or someone has gave us. I have a few
things I bought a few years ago on a
close out.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Pretty Paper Willie Nelson
I have a few more, but that one
sticks out the most.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?
All of our family lives here in Pontotoc.
We go to Dan's mom's house and my mom's house
on Christmas Eve. We get up early here and let
the kids open here, then we go to Maws for the day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid,
Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

20. Angel on top of tree or star?
We have used both.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
It is too commercialized! No jobs.

23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?
I really don't have theme or color. I like having the
smell of Orange and cinnamon all around the house.
The real stuff not the fake smells.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Ham, Lima beans, Potato salad, sweet potato casserole,
and fruit salad. The rest of my family think they need
turkey and dressing. I know there are a few more things
we fix but I can't think of them at this time.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I want my mom to be able to enjoy her kids,
grand kids and great grand kids. I also want my kids
to have a great Christmas.

*****************************************
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

2. Real tree or Artificial?

3. When do you put up the tree?

4. When do you take the tree down?

5. Do you like eggnog?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

7. Hardest person to buy for?

8. Easiest person to buy for?

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

16. What decorations are on your tree?

17. Favorite Christmas song?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

A little review on my Thanksgiving.

This year was a lot less stressful than usual, which was wonderful! (To make things clear, we call Dan's mother “mom” and my mother “momma.”) Here is the run down…
We go to Dan’s grandmother’s (maw) on Thanksgiving Day every year and to my mom’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It has always worked out this way because my mom was a nurse and she had to work the Holidays. After my mom got sick and no longer able to work we decided to keep it on the same days for it would be easier on everyone. The past few years I had got to the point where I hated going to maws and started showing up later and later. It wasn’t because of maw, mom, or anybody else in Dan’s family it was because his oldest brother’s wife. If you recall last year she made my life miserable and started a bunch of mess! This lady had been a THORN in my side for a little over 10 years! I was a little late this year showing up for maw’s Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t because of her. I didn’t even think about her. I was worried about my momma. I had been trying to get her to go into the hospital all week, but she was afraid she would miss my birthday. So, the day of my birthday when I got there she decided that since she got to see me she would allow my little brother take her. I helped her get a bath and packed her clothes. She insisted I go to maws and enjoy myself, so I went. Everything thing was unusually quite and peaceful at maws, but I didn’t realize what it was till after everyone left except KB, mom & myself. Maw, mom, KB & I were cleaning up the kitchen and mom turned around to maw and said, “Aren’t you glad Miss Witch isn’t here!” I then realized that the thorn wasn’t there. It was the most pleasing visit in years! That was a birthday present in itself!
My brothers and I decided to have Thanksgiving at mom’s house if she got to come home or not because that’s all she wanted; was for her kids to be together. I cleaned momma’s house Friday and my little brother, 2 of my nieces; KB and I pitch in and got everything ready. My oldest niece had to have emergency surgery Wednesday to have her gall bladder taken out so, she wasn’t able to do much. Everything went smoother than normal which scared me a bit, but at the end no big surprises. All that could, helped Da Da and me clean up when it was over. It still wasn’t the same without momma, but I’m glad to know we can still have a chance of having gatherings when she passes. I’m not hoping for that anytime soon. To me some families fall apart when the parents die.
To me this was the best Thanksgiving in a long time and a very relaxed one also. Hopefully momma can come home Monday and we will plan another dinner that she will be at. Now I know all of us kids can put it together and all she has to do is sit back and enjoy her family.
So, to sum it all up; I had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and I hope you had the same.

A little Fun

Rod Stewart- You're in my Heart (I have song this to my children their whole life)

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 31. What is your score? Get it here.

Your Personality Profile

You are nurturing, kind, and lucky. Like mother nature, you want to help everyone. You are good at keeping secrets and tend to be secretive. A seeker of harmony, you are a natural peacemaker. You are good natured and people enjoy your company. You put people at ease and make them feel at home with you.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

You Are Romanticism

You are likely to see the world as it should be, not as it is. You prefer to celebrate the great things people do... not the horrors they're capable of. For you, there is nothing more inspiring than a great hero. You believe that great art reflects the artist's imagination and true ideals.

What Art Movement Are You?

Inspirational Quotes

"Always make a total effort,
even when the odds are against you."
- Arnold Palmer

"Enthusiasm spells the difference between
mediocrity and accomplishment."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Most folks are about as happy as
they make up their minds to be."
- Abraham Lincoln

Hope you have a wonderful week end!
I'll post of our Thanksgiving Monday if able!

Thankful Friday

Giving all that has went on this past year I thought I would sit down today and list things I'm Thankful for. No matter hard life may get at times we all should take time to think about the good in our lives. I have to just to keep my sanity. LOL!

1. Momma went in the hospital yesterday. The good side of it all is that momma showed no signs of congestive heart failure and her pneumonia is gone. She does have bronchitis and her COPD had flared up very bad! She should be able to come home by Saturday to enjoy Thanksgiving at her house, if she can breathe.

2. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends out there on the Internet who are there for me. I leave you this quote:
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-- Marcel Proust

3. I'm so thankful to have 3 beautiful healthy kids. They make sure there is never a dull moment at our house! :)

4. Can't leave out my hubby who has been here for me through all this with my mom. When I feel like choking him the most he turns around and does some of the sweetest things.

5. I'm so proud to have my house even though it is not cleaned like I like to have it and it needs a few repairs that Dan I and I have not been able to do. (We could be renting or homeless.)

6. I LOVE my 4 brothers even though at times they make me want to snap their ears off! They really are good men and they do show me love in their own way.

7. I'm so thankful for my Sammie and momma's Topper for protecting our houses. Even though Topper is way too hyper at times and all he wants to do is play ball, he is a good pup. Sammie has a lot more years on her, but she is a loving friend and she keeps my feet warm at night.

8. I'm so glad I have my van even though it needs repairs that will cost a lot, but without it I would be walking. One day I hope to be blessed with a replacement, but at this time I'm glad for what I do have.

9. I am so Thankful for my personality because with out that I would be insane! LOL! Really! I'm glad I'm not one of these people who see nothing but bad in life. I would be one miserable person!

10. Even though Dan lost his job in June and jobs are very slim around here, we are able to pay our bills. We may not have enough for much extras, but at least we have plenty food, our bills are paid and our kids have clothes on their back.

Just Remember to give thanks for the little things and in spite of things because things could be a lot worse.

Here am I sending many blessings to you and yours! I hope you have wonderful and blessed week end!

Happy Birthday to me! & Happy Thanks giving to You!

Who the Heck can it be?

Check this out! It says I'm a Thanksgiving Holiday and guess what?!? My Birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year! 40 years ago I was born the day before Thanksgiving. Hope You and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

You Are Thanksgiving

You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job

What Holiday Are You?

Update on Momma

Momma is not much better and I'm ticked at the Dr's office. I called at 8AM Monday morning and told them NOT to call mom and why. The nurse didn't get the message or over looked it because she called momma. She didn’t call momma till 3PM and they called her in some antibiotics & steroids. So, I had my niece who is in her 2nd year of RN school, check mom's lungs. I called my cousin who is “Head” over respiratory a few hours from here. He told me that the gurgle sound in mom's right lung meant pneumonia. I told him that her left lung had the normal wheeze, but she felt smothered on that side. He said that momma could be having a flare up with COPD along with pneumonia or she could be having congestive heart failure which is common in people who have COPD. I also told him about momma not knowing Da Da and other confusion and he said it could be the low oxygen due to COPD or congestive heart or both. I guess I need to have the DR check her heart the next time we see him. He also told me if we can hold off till after our Thanksgiving dinner Saturday before we talked about putting her in the hospital it would be best because mom would throw a fit to get out before she should. I agreed with him, but if she is not any better today I’m going to talk to her about calling the Dr again. If we don’t put her in the hospital I’m hoping somebody can sit with momma a few hours tomorrow for I can go to Dan’s grandmothers for Thanksgiving. We will just have to wait and see.
PS. I have a surprise for tomorrow, so stay tuned till then!
HUGS to ALL! & Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday!

Award & Thank you!

Story Teller awarded me with this lovely award. Thanks girl I really needed that. I would like to share this with a few friends that help me through the days.
Ami. Mental
Joy T
Chris B
Heather
Karisma
Gail
Wendy
June Bug
Robin
Dawn
Jettie
Pamela
Holly
Mom#1
And there are more out there that I didn't post, but I do apperciate you also. So, if you comment and I left out your name feel free to take the award also because I didn't leave you out on purpose, just short on time. Got to get to momma!