Christmas 2005

What a day! We had the best Christmas we've ever had. Everyone is happy and we're very thankful.
We awoke pre-6am to the precious children eagerly POUNDING on doors for everyone to get up and see what Santa brought. I believe they are trying to finally do me in.

We opened presents first at our house, THEN we had a "scavanger hunt" like in Amazing Race. It was GREAT. The girls had to go find clues to their presents. One clue would take them to another clue etc...The first task they had to perform was take an egg across the street to their Grandma Terry, with one arm behind their back!
with out dropping it.

She gave them their next clue...go hug their Grandpa and he would give them their NEXT clue and so on.... at the end we ate and then exchanged presents with them. We all had a wonderful time.

We also all went to Mike's Uncle Art's house for Christmas there the night before Christmas Eve. I will put pics on of all that this afternoon.
This is one picture that was taken there. I will mention their tree...it was white with purple decorations and it was beautiful. ...more of that soon.

Below are pictures taken at my parents house. I only took a few, Dad and Larry Jr. sent me the rest. I did most of the editing.

Enjoy...sorry to make this short....more soon-

We SURVIVED!!!

What a WHIRLWIND! Christmas passed in a blurr. I have never shopped, wrapped, planned, plotted, cooked etc...so quickly in my life AND worked at my JOB! We even had time to dye the dog! He was supposed to turn out red.


We all had the best Christmas this year. Everyone is healthy, happy, potty-trained, passing school AND EMPLOYED! YEE-HAWWWW! This girls are working. YES, I believe in child labor. We have alot to be thankful for this year.

I took alot of pictures as did Dad and Larry Jr. This blog will only allow me to post 5 at a time. It's nearly 5am, I have to work today, so I will post some here now and some more in the morning.


I was trying to figure out the photo editing software here...good picture...YES, I took it...well, maybe Dad did. BUT I EDITED IT.
I think Larry Jr. took this one. I, naturally, had to edit it for superior picture quality as only I can. Another creative editing masterpiece!

I am hoping Jimmy (Donna's husband) will send me his pictures he took so I will have more to post from Christmas morning at Mike's parents house. I was so excited about everything, I didn't take a whole lot myself.

I will add more this afternoon after work. If anyone took any pictures, send them to me...I would love to see them!!!!!

Christmas is almost here!!!!

Well, FINALLY another day off. AND what a day off I will have.

I did manage to wrap everyone's presents except the girls. I didn't wrap theirs because I didn't trust them not to come home and catch me in the middle of the den wrapping furiously. At this point, Mike decides to turn the channel to HOCKEY. WHAT! I'M wrapping the presents...I'M working as fast as humanly possible, and he turns the channel. I WAS watching C.S.I.
OH, which reminds me. If you want a pretty wrapped present from us, it ain't happening. You'll be lucky if it has enuff tape to hold the paper together. Just thought I'd through that it so you won't be wondering.

I don't have any pictures today either. I haven't done anything picture-worthy. I went to work...and shopped where there were 100 or less people gathered. That's it.
We dyed Buddy the other day. He was supposed to be red, but he turned out cotton candy pink. Mike took him to the groomers the other day and he looks so pretty!

Well, I'm off again. Ashley leaves with Michaels mother today bound for Camp LeJeune, NC to get Michael. Michael doesn't know Ashley is going with her...a SURPRISE! They will be back tomorrow morning. It's a 7 hour drive each way and I made his mother promise they would be back by noon tomorrow in time for Mom and Dad's by 1 to eat and exchange presents. Ashley will already be missing a Christmas party tonight at Mike's Uncle Art's house, but I want her there for both our parent's houses for Christmas dinners.

Have a happy shopping day.

Twas the week before Christmas...

The ice storm is past and we have all recovered. I heard Uncle Dave, Kim and family and Aunt Aurelia all had it rough. On Mikes side, his sister and family and his Uncle Art all were without power and stayed across the street. The girls loved that! It gave them someone else to pester to death.

The girls began their NEW JOBS! YEE HAWWW! They are now employed with a restaurant called, "Brixx" which is a Yankee kind of Italian/Pizza place. We couldn't pronounce most of what was on the menu, and seeing GOAT cheese and olive oil in everything was..uh...different.
The place hasn't opened officially yet, so yesterday was family day there. Family of employees got to eat FREEEEEEEEEEE, while our "now-employed-precious-children" waited on us. The girls are HOSTESSES. They aren't old enough to wait on tables because the place serves alcohol.
Their jobs entail..greeting people ("hot" guys if lucky) at the door, showing them to their seats (close to them if "hot") and (if they remember) bringing them their menu and silverware. The end.

They have worked here for a week so far, learning this. They had to be at work 4 hours before family's could arrive so they could RE-learn this..most of the hostesses ARE blonde.
So, Ashley calls me right before we walk out the door to get there and asks...no BEGS me not to bring the camera. who, ME? SURE, Ashley, I won't bring it. She knew better that that! I have a blog to maintain.
I didn't take alot because they were petrified I would embarrass them. WHEN have I ever done THAT?

Here's what I took:
Britt was SO nervous! But she only dropped the silverware on someone once! Ashley was busy checking everyone out. AND Courtney was just waiting on her food. I ordered Spinach and Artichoke dip appetizer and she nearly gagged! HA! I only ordered it because I knew they wouldn't eat it!

Well, I'm off to finish my shopping today, because I have to work the next 3 days.

I put more pics below...keep scrolling down!
Happy shopping to all!
The Herd

More pics from first day at new JOB!

Our waitress, NOT one of the girls, messed up our order, so we waited for about 30 minutes for our order. Courtney became bored.



Mike became bored. BUT, we had a great time!

Ice Storm!!!

What a freaking terrible weather day. I am off work two days this week, yesterday and today and BAM. ICE.
I headed towards Big Lots yesterday afternoon, but it was so packed with heat-seeking grumpy shoppers, I left and went back home. It's now an official emergency. If I don't shop today, we ain't gonna have a Christmas.
The one of my two bright spots of my week was when Dad had to get some lab work done at the hospital where I work and Dad, Mom and I went to the cafeteria for breakfast. He didn't get his lab work drawn because there was a two hour wait. Dad ain't waiting to eat, so he's rescheduling for later on. I went to their house later on that day and they bought me a coffee percolator! I've been looking for one and couldn't find it. Dad did! It's aluminum tho, so I went on Ebay and have bid on a stainless steel Revere Ware perc. My life is beyond exciting.
The other bright spot was last night. Mike's sister Donna and Deanna, and his uncle Art and family all don't have power, so they are across the street at Mike's Mom's staying. We had fun over there last night. Britt's boyfriend came over for awhile too. Grandma Terry had cooked a big pot of BEANS and CORNBREAD! Yeah-baby! I had cooked a huge pot of potato soup, so if the power went off, we combined, had enuff food for everyone. We didn't wait on the power to go off, we ate it all anyways! hee hee

I MAY take some pictures today, but I am, seriously SHOPPING today. I'm taking Donna with me so she can shop too. NO KIDS. I don't care if Courtney is on restriction and I have to keep both eyes on her...she over-socializes at school and is now on restriction. That means NO computer OR CELL PHONE. The other day, she "forgot" she was on restriction and I caught her sitting at the computer typing furiously with her cell phone on her ear too. So, I have to keep both eyes on her..in case she forgets again. Mike can watch her.

OH- If you want something in particular from US for Christmas, you probley ain't getting it.
I ain't going to Wal-mart, K-mart or Steinmart. NOR am I going to the mall or any other store where 100 or more people are gathered OR where all the handicapped parking places are taken. So there.

Maudin Christmas Parade 2005

As in the past, we all went to the parade, minus Mike's parents who went to see Donna yesterday. It was cold, but a great parade. Normally, our parade consists of the Shriner motorcycles, an 18 wheeler and Santa in a dump truck, but it was actually good! Here are some pictures I took and some that Larry Jr. took (he emailed me his...Dad hasn't sent me his HE took yet. I will post them when he sends them out). Don't forget you can click on the picture and it will enlarge. Mine are worth enlarging!!!! HA! These were taken yesterday at the parade! Here is from L to R is Lauren and Ashley beside her. Behind Ashley is Britt and beside her is Justin..her boyfriend and beside Ashley is Beth, their cousin and then Courtney. They had a ball and it was FREEZING!
Courtney is such a ham. I love this picture...I took it, of course! Larry Jr. kept warm.
This is Britt and Justin. He is the nicest guy! Britt seems to be happy right now with him.
I don't know where Lauren was in this picture, but that's Court, Ashley, Beth, Britt and Justin.
I may print this picture and frame it. Larry Jr. MAY have taken it, but I doubt it. It's too good! hee hee

More pictures below!!!!

and more pics...

Mom enjoying the parade and watching me attempt to use Larry Jr.s camera.
That's Larry Jr. and Sadie. Cujo would have enjoyed her! right.
He REALLY enjoyed the parade and how much candy he could grab!

FINALLY..Saturday!

I can't believe we all survived the week! I think we're all tired from school, work, homework, work, running errands, work etc...

This morning, we are going to a Revolutionary War reenactment. Woo-hoo. Charlie called (the head of the Veterans Service Corps) and wants Court to sing 4 songs this morning. This is also a dedication to those who perished during this very important battle.
My weather thingy on my computer says it's 28 degrees now. She will be in the middle of a field and it's SOOOOO COOOOLLLLDDDD. Kenny, (for those who don't know him, is my cousin in Wyoming) if you're reading this, I know 28 degrees to you is like our 75 degrees, but we're wimpy! PLUS, it's been raining. SO, Court will wear her sneakers to the site and then change into her heels. Ain't life FUN!?
I, of COURSE, will post pictures today. It should actually be pretty interesting. We've never been to a reenactment, and the Battle of Canebrake (google it!) was a battle that was pivotal in turning the outcome of the war. Revolutionary, not Civil. I'm sure if it were a Civil war reenactment it would be one gigantic mess, that would end in warmed moonshine being consumed by one and all! hee hee
I'll post more later today...BYEE!


I'm BACK!
It was absolutely FREEEEZING! Even in the sun! Dad and I took pictures, of which, MINE look better! Ain't no doubt!

Here are a few of what I took.... Click on the picture and it will enlarge....
Dad took one and I took the other..GUESS which one I took? I took the one to the right. Notice how I captured the essence of the ceremony and the solomness of the gathering! The way the wreaths shown up from the ground as if to say...REMEMBER ME! I could almost feel the spirits of these soldiers. I know, very impressive. Dad just took a picture.
She sang for a crowd during the wreath dedication..mostly the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Children of the American Revolution (CAR).
This is the guys in costume marching towards the ceremony. Courtney posed with them afterwards.
AND I know you want to know where Dad was??! WELL, he spotted some weeds growing in the far end of this field. SO, he just HAD to get a little cutting. little. So, I looked to see if he was leaving and THIS is what I saw...
Geeeeze.

Home Sweet Home

Well, FINALLY I'm OFF work and I ain't going shopping either. The weather is terrible and the boys are wanting my full attention today. Buddy keeps staring at my car keys waiting on me to grab them as usual.
All girls are in school, Mike is at work and I have the house to MY SELF. WOOT WOOT - Yee HAWWWW.
So you can understand my excitement...I can actually go potty today with NOBODY wondering in the bathroom or shouting thru the door, "WHY IS THE DOOR LOCKED??" etc. WHY is it that the girls suddenly get an epiphany that I just HAVE to know about... RIGHT THEN..WHILE I'M IN THE BATHROOM? It CAN wait for two minutes!
But not today!
I can watch Foxnews ALL DAY LONG with nobody complaining. I can even TURN the TV OFF! HA!
I can use my coffee pot ALL DAY LONG today without scraping hot chocolate out of the little hole thingy.
AND...I can get on the computer without having to kick anyone else off AND fishing Dorito crumbs out of the keyboard! HAAAA
Love-ing it!

BYEEEEEEEEE!

Later in the day...

Well, I had no sooner clicked off my 'puter and GUESS WHO WALKS IN THE HOUSE.....MIKE. What? HOW? WHY?
He's SOOOO excited...it's raining and he can't get his equipment wet so boss man sent everyone home.
NOOOOOO!!!!
It was at this point a song popped in my head that I have since been singing thru CLINCHED teeth..."Why ME Lord?"
I can only remember two lines...."Why MEEEEEE Lord, what did I ever do? To deserve even this?" Then, the song gets better..."LORD HELP me, Jesus...."
At this point Mike doesn't look too happy either. whatever.
THEN he tells me he has the whole day PLANNED! WHAT!? My day is ALREADY PLANNED. was. sniff sniff
So, we went to Mike's mom's house and worked on Courtney's Bio so Mike can send out promo packages. BUT...
Mike's Grandmother took pity on ME and cooked a big BREAKFAST..fried fatback...gravy...eggs and HOECAKES. Hoecakes are like one big huge home-made bisquit. Mmm-MMM good.

Dad just sent an email to me with a picture in it, which I, of course am fixing to share. It's entitled...Chuckwagon gang and me. OK...I know the Chuckwagon gang is a Southern Gospel group that travels around singing and Mom and Dad and Aunt Aurelia and Uncle Harry (I'm pretty sure) enjoy them. I've never seen them. Don't know what they look like. So, this is the picture he sends....of the GANG.

uh...where's the gang?

Good Dad!!!
Well, now that my day is GONE, I'm confused with the Gang thing AND full thanks to my big breakfast, I'm going to go watch C.S.I. which I recorded to watch BY MYSELF. I've sent Mike to the store. hee hee!!!

ZZZzzzzzz...

YES, it's 5:06am. This is my weekend to work.
Well, let's see what we did this week.
OH, Courtney sang for Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Thursday night for their annual Christmas party. She did great!

I took several pictures and video..since it was darker in there (I lightened it myself!!), the pictures turned out blurry. This was the best of the worse. I'm not sure if I can load video on here!

Yesterday, Donna (Mike's sister) and I went shopping all day. It was pretty comical at times trying to weave her in and out of the aisles. The cast is off her foot, but she has a big cast on her left arm that goes all the way to her arm pit. She cannot apply any pressure to her foot, so she is wheel chair bound still.

This weekend, Mike is home all day, but works at concerts at nights. I'm not even sure who will be here. Just as long as he's here for the majority of the day to be at the girls disposal. His turn.

Well, Buddy is crying for more bird food, so I better get going. He is HOOKED on the bird's pellet food. He stands at the cabinet where we keep it and just STARES at the door....whimpering...in a trance..like it's magically going to open...ALL DAY if I let him! Cujo, being Mexican, could care less. He's all about dill pickles and finding a bed with the electric blanket left on to pile up under.

Have a good weekend!!
The Herd