White Christmas and Other Fun Stuff

Well, as some of you know, I had a WONDERFUL Christmas.....Just look!  There it is, in all it's glory - complete with finger smudges on the screen!  My very own iPad! Car Guy and My Boys got it for me and then my Sainted Mother bought me the case with the blue tooth keyboard.  Aren't they just the best?!  I was not expecting this at all so you can imagined how shocked and pleased I am.  Do you like the screen saver?  There is this drawing program on the iPad and Number Two Son drew that up form me real quick.  Isn't it so cheery? Once I figure out how to get the pictures from the camera to the iPad without using the computer, I'll be able to do all my blogging from it and I won't have to stand in line behind the family for my computer time....Life will be good!

I also got this amazing pocketbook.  It's the perfect size to carry the iPad and it's totally groovy, man!  I received so many wonderful gifts from my amazing family -  Some bowls and a blouse from Anthropologie, a Fossil pocketbook, some bath salts....I'm so overwhelmed by it all, that I can't remember everything.  I was totally spoiled.

And then there was this..........SNOW!!!  We had a White Christmas.  The last time this happened in North Carolina (with decent accumulation) was 1969.  I can honestly say, I don't remember it. There have been a few Christmases where we've had some dustings, but nothing like what we got this year.  We received six inches and it was beautiful.

I thought I'd make this a nearly perfect post by adding some pretty crochet.  This is the shawl that I made for my mother-in-law.  She was very happy with it.

And then I decided to make this a perfect post...here is a little something for the ladies.....a man washing dishes.  This is probably a fantasy for some woman, but this is Car Guy washing the dishes at his mother's house.  Isn't that the sweetest?  I think I'll keep him.



I hope everyone had an amazing Holiday - be it Christmas, Hannukkah or whatever you celebrate and that you were as fortunate as I was and were able to spend this time with family and loved ones.

I'm off to get ready for the New Year.  We always have a party here and there is much to do.  I hope the New Year finds you happy and well and that your hopes and dreams come true!  Until next year......

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas. I'm taking a quick break to say hi and show off my new iPad, which I'm using right now! This was my gift from Car Guy & The Boys! We are going to have a late diner with my Sainted Mother after our crazy day of travel. I'll post all the crazy details tomorrow! Have a great night!

Comfort Food

Have you ever had a bad day and you know that a certain meal will make you feel better? Well, I'm having one of those days.  It started with a stupid mistake on my part that almost crashed a system at work...oops!  Not good! Fortunately for me, the powers that be were really nice.  They didn't blow up, didn't chew me out and better still, they didn't fire me...not that I think they would, but it could happen. Then there is the whole Christmas gift fiasco.  I order a REALLY nice gift for someone and it cost quite a bit of money.  I'm not saying what or for whom just in case they might pop in and visit and spoil the surprise. Anyway, I know that the shipping address was spot on.  I double triple checked it when I ordered the item.  FedEx (and here I am naming names) delivered it to the wrong address and I have no clue where.  Their Proof of Delivery system doesn't provide the actual address that the package was delivered to.  So I called FedEx.

Melissa's call log:

"Thank you for calling FedEx, this is Michelle, how can I help you?" (Way too chipper)
"Hi Michelle,  This is Melissa and my package was delivered to the wrong address."
"What's that tracking number please?"
"XXXXXXX"
"Yes ma'am.  That package was delivered this morning." (All smiley voice.)
*BIG sigh* "Yes, I know, but it wasn't delivered to the address on the package"
"It was signed for by a T. XXXXXX."
Another *BIG sigh* "Yes ma'am, I know that.  However, I work in an office of 35 people and T. XXXXX doesn't work here and the package was not delivered here."
Long pause "Oh.  What was that tracking number again?"
Thump - that was my head hitting my desk. "XXXXXX."
"What did the package contain?"
"A fkjshdfskjdfh."
"Oh dear, umm. Can I get your last name please?"
"Johnson."
"A phone number I can reach you at."
"336-XXX-XXXX"
"Where was the package being shipped to?"
ARGH!!!! politely said "8203-L XXXXXXXXX, Greensboro, NC 27XXX"
"And where was the package delivered?"
REALLY?!?! "Michelle, please don't take this the wrong way when I say this, but if I knew that I would have gotten in my car and picked it up myself and we would never be having this conversation."
"Oh, right. Sorry.  Your case number is 1XXXXXX. I've put a tracer on the package and someone will be calling you about this shortly."
"Thank you Michelle."
"Thank you Ms. Johnson. Have a wonderful afternoon."

The sound you now hear is my head repeatedly being beaten against a brick wall.  The scabs will look really great in the Christmas pictures.

Now what does comfort food have to do with all this you ask?  Well after a morning like this, I promptly went out and bought this.....

Photo courtesy of Bojangles website.

That's right.  Bojangles Chicken Supreme Meal .  Fried Chicken, Seasoned Fries, a big ol' fluffy biscuit (I buy them since I can't make them) and a giant Dr. Pepper....Comfort food.  My hips and thighs are eternally grateful.  They weren't jiggling enough...WRONG.   So the system is up and running beautifully and T. XXXXXX still has my package.  But guess what?  I feel better....and ready for a nap. Maybe when I wake up, everything will be fixed.  What do you think?


3:03 - Package update.  Package was shipped next door and is now safely in my grubby little paws.  Yea!  *Big Sigh*

A Christmas Story

It's starting to feel like Christmas.  We actually had some snow flurries last night!  We don't typically see snow until January or February.

We had a wonderful weekend complete with the obligatory wrestling tournament, Christmas party and shopping.  Whew!  I'm tired!


We know that Christmas is in full swing at my house when the infamous "Leg Lamp" is displayed in the front window.  It's fragile, so it must be Italian. That's pronounced Fra-gi-le.  If you have no clue what I'm talking about, go rent the movie "A Christmas Story."  It's a family favorite and I promise you will laugh. Pay close attention to the father when he's working on the furnace.  It reminds me of Car Guy when he's working on something that isn't going his way.

I'll catch up later this week when I have a chance to download some pictures!  Happy Monday!

My Baby!

I can't believe it.  My baby...my youngest... turned 15 today!  I wasn't ready for this.  I'd hoped he'd stay little forever.  He has always been so sweet. Seriously, look at that face!  He was, and still is, such a happy child. 

He was fifteen days old on his first Christmas.  We took him everywhere - my mother-in-law's house, my father-in-law's house, my aunt's house and my mother's house - all in one day.  The only time he fussed was when he was hungry and even then, he wasn't a screaming baby. My point here is that he's never been one to complain. 


He makes my heart swell.

He makes me smile.

He has a kind heart, but he's not a pushover.

To this day, when I get home, I know I can count on a hug from him. I understand him because he's so much like me. He even argues like me....that's worrisome. He also has my temper....that's worrisome too. But he's a good boy. Only now......

He's not a boy anymore.  He's a young man. He makes his mom very proud and I love him dearly. I can't even begin to express how much he's enriched my life and made me a better person for being a part of it.  He teaches me something new about myself, and this life, everyday.

Now please excuse me.  There's a box of tissue around here somewhere and I need to find it *sniff* because that loud noise you hear is my heart shattering into a million little pieces.

Winter Wonderland

Hello All!!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! As you can see, we did get that snow on Saturday.  It was so pretty and gone by Sunday.  I have to apologize for the blurry picture, but it was so cold that my hands were shaking...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  Also, you may notice that we're missing a couple of shutters.  We had a storm last week with really strong winds.  They were so strong that the shutters ended up in the yard.  They are now in the garage, waiting on the purchase of the clips to reattach them.

Our weekend was very busy.  We went to the Mike Raybon and Kathy Dick Invitational Wrestling Tournament.  The Mike Raybon Invitational is the Varsity Tournament and the Kathy Dick Invitational is the Junior Varsity Tournament. These tournaments are probably my favorite tournaments because I have a personal connection to the name sakes.

A million years ago (according to my boys) when I was in high school, Mike Raybon was our wrestling coach and Kathy Dick was our wrestlette advisor. Those of you who have never been involved in wrestling are probably wondering what a wrestlette is.  No, wrestlettes are not female wrestlers, they are score keepers, statisticians, clock workers, runners, etc. I was a wrestlette my sophomore, junior and senior years in High School.  I developed a very healthy respect for the sport and for Coach and Kathy. Coach was awarded the Wrestling Coach of the Year Award while I was in high school and he retired in 1984 with a 216-45-2 record that included 14 conference championships and 3 state championships. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997 and is also in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame.  Kathy was also a guidance counselor and was a rock for me during those awkward high school years.  She helped teach us the importance of hard work and a job well done.  She is the only woman to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. As you can see, they've had amazing careers and continue to be very involved with wrestling even though they've both retired.  I love these tournaments because it gives me a chance to see these two wonderful people.

Here is Number Two Son.  He wrestled in the Kathy Dick Invitational.  He won his first round with a pin! He lost his second round and was very upset because we all thought he had his opponent pinned......doesn't that look like a pin to you?  Evidently it wasn't and he was pinned in the next period.  He went to the consolation round and lost by points. This was his first tournament and I was so very proud of him because he did his best and worked really hard. 

Number One Son wrestled in the Mike Raybon Invitational.  He also won his first round with a pin.  He lost his second round, so he went to consolations and a chance for third place.  He wasn't too happy about this, but he brushed it off and ate a biscuit and drank some Gatorade.  Then he was up for his third match....while is brother is wrestling on another mat.....ARGH!!! I looked like a crazy woman who couldn't decide which direction to go in.  Number One Son wrestled his little heart out and........

CAME IN THIRD FOR HIS WEIGHT CLASS FOR THE WHOLE TOURNAMENT!!!!!  Woohoo!  He wants to make it to States this year and if he keeps this up, I think he'll do it. Can you tell how disgustingly proud I am of these two boys?







Sunday, we went to the Christmas Parade for my home town.  I forgot my camera, so there are no pictures of marching bands, girl scout troops or Santa. It's probably just as well as it was freezing cold and all the pictures would probably have been blurry.  

I didn't get a lot of crocheting done this weekend.  I took it with me to the wrestling tournament, but with two boys wrestling, I didn't do anything but make a mess. So I'll leave you with one more blurry Chirstmassy Picture...Here are the neighbors' decorations up the street.  Makes me think of the Griswold's from the movie "Christmas Vacation."  You can never have too many lights.....which is really sad, since I haven't gotten my outdoor decorations up yet.

Good Morning!

Good Morning Everyone!  I thought it was time to put on a little holiday cheer.  The new banner picture is actually about 8 years old.  It's my kitty Oreo as a kitten.  He's really an overweight curmudgeon now...he also hates when I tell people that.  He's quite self-conscious of his weight.  If you try to talk to him about it, he starts twitching his tail furiously and occasionally he'll actually talk back.  He's not as vocal as our friend Raymond, but he can be quite talkative.  Anyway, that is one of my favorite pictures of him.  Car Guy took it the first Christmas we had Oreo.

Between this picture and the weather, I'm starting to get into the spirit of things.  There is a chance for some precipitation this weekend....and it could come in the form of, dare I say it, snow?!?!  Not in North Carolina!  Not where I live!  We hardly ever get snow, just ask Erica.  I know that Teresa and Manda have already had some snow and that Sandi and Alice are heading into spring, so no snow there.  Denise had some chilly weather, but the she said the birds must of complained so the city paid the heating bill.  I love hearing and seeing how the weather is around the world. Around here, we are always crossing our fingers for a "White Christmas."  And once in a blue moon we might get a dusting, but not often. So I'm like a little kid watching the weather reports and crossing my fingers that we get a little of the white stuff.

I added the links above in hopes that anyone who should stumble upon my blog will go visit these lovely ladies.  I've only been blogging for a few months and these ladies have been wonderful support, leaving comments and making me feel welcome.  So thanks!  And please, if you're new and drifting through (and I know you do)  leave a comment, stay a while, meet some lovely ladies and make new friends. Spread a little Christmas Cheer with me!

A New Week

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!  For those of you not in the US, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  I'm finally back amongst the real world after a lovely long week-end! Since I've been away for a while, you get a "No Picture" post.  I just haven't had time to get the pictures uploaded to the computer.

We had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving at my Sainted Mother's house.  Long time family friends Brenda and Dick were there too.  For the first time in 17 years, we only went to one house on Thanksgiving, so I actually got to bake a couple of chocolate pies and make some stuffing to take over. We had the obligatory turkey, green bean casserole, candied yams, stuffing...all the fixings.  Brenda made the most amazing sweet potato salad with sweet potatoes, onions, pineapples...all kinds of yummy goodness. I'm waiting on the recipe.  It was divine.  We had a wonderful time and halfway through the day I realized that I'd left the camera at home......Argh!  I guess it was better to forget the camera instead of the food.

Friday morning we got up bright and early, grabbed some breakfast and headed over to the coliseum for the Craftsman's Fair.  I wish I could have taken the camera so that I could show you all the talent that was on display, but that's not allowed.  I'm afraid I didn't get any gifts.  Nothing really jumped out at me that seemed appropriate.  I did get some WONDERFUL tea from a company called Blessed Botanicals.  They make the most amazing organic, herbal  teas.  I purchased Full Moon Winter Chai, Lemon Mint, and My Last Nerve Teas, all of which are delicious. They are also a North Carolina company, which I love.

Saturday was spent at the Bandys Duel Wrestling Tournament.  Six High School wrestling teams meet in Catawba, NC at Bandys High School.  The schools are from North and South Carolina and there was some amazing and talented kids there.  Both boys wrestled and did pretty well, each getting a victory with a pin and each getting pinned - Ugh!  There were a lot of screaming Moms there supporting each other and our boys.  It's a long day and everyone comes away bone tired...including the parents.  We get to spend the next three weekends doing this.  It's crazy, but when it's over, we miss it.

Sunday was spent quietly at home.  Boy, were we tired!  We ate brunch, watched a movie and then went to church for the Hanging of the Greens Ceremony.  This is the first service of the Advent season when we light the Christmon Tree and hang the evergreen garlands in the Sanctuary.  It is probably one of my most favorite services with candle light and Christmas carols. It's also wonderful because you get to see people that you haven't seen in while.  I saw my fifth grade teacher! How cool is that?!

Christmas is fast approaching and there is so much to do! Lots and lots of blocking...Sigh...why can't these things block themselves?  I also thought I'd try to do some baking this year, but with all the wrestling, I don't know if there will be time.  I also have to sit down and have a meeting with Santa AFTER I pry wish lists from The Boys. AND I  have no clue what to get Car Guy and he's not helping! I'm glad the rest of my family isn't so difficult!

Well I hope everyone's week is going well.  I'll try to get a little more organized so that you have something to look at next time :)

First of the Week

Hello everyone!  First I want to let you know that I had a wonderful evening Friday. Thanks for all the suggestions.  I tried to work everything into one evening so I had a glass (or two) of wine, crocheted some Christmas gifts and watched the "Man Shops Globe" shows that I had recorded.  Have you ever watched that show?  It's on the Sundance Channel and is about Keith Johnson.  He's the "Buyer at Large" for my FAVORITE store, Anthropologie.  He travels all over the place and finds all the beautiful and unique items that decorate and are sold in the stores.  He has my dream job. *Sigh*  After looking at all the beautiful places he goes and things he buys, I went to bed at 10:00 pm and feel asleep reading a smut novel.  It was perfect!

Saturday we got up early and headed up to Virginia to the Virginia International Raceway, also known as VIR. The Porsche Club was having a driving event so that everyone gets a chance to play Speed Racer. Since our car isn't ready yet, we went up to observe.




Car Guy and Number One Son had a great day.  They were able to see a lot of unique cars and meet people that were also car lovers.  Car Guy also got to talk to some very experienced people that were a wealth of information for the restoration of our car. 

Number One Son was busy taking pictures all day.  Here are a couple of cars he liked:

What a colorful paint job!



Aren't the teeth great!

I also had a great time.  I was a little concerned about being bored, so I took my crochet with me.  I figured I'd be the only one there crocheting.  But I was so pleasantly surprised to sit down with the group from the Carolina Region PCA and meet Robin, BJ and Valie.  Robin was working on a crocheted blanket that BJ designed.  I had such a wonderful afternoon talking with these woman while the hooks flew. It was a very enjoyable time spent with like minded women. Who'd of thunk?


As we were leaving the race track to head back home the moon was coming up over the trees.

Sunday was spent quietly at home recovering from a day away from home in the sun. My nose was a little pink!

Last night had my nerves stretched tight.  We had the first wrestling match of the year.  When your son wrestles, that is the longest, most intense six minutes of your life.  Here are some pictures from Number One Son's match - He's the one in the Black and Green:

Come on, work it!

Hold onto him!

Get him on his back!

UGH!  This whole process is enough to send a mother over the edge!  I'm a nervous wreck the whole time.  You can always tell when a woman's child is wrestling.  Just look into the crowd and find the woman with the most intense, worried glare and that would be her.  She may be the most polite, dainty, ladylike woman you've ever met, but wait until her son is on that mat.  She will become the fiercest and loudest woman ever - screaming like a crazy person...PIN HIM!!  Because that is HER BABY!  A male friend once said that people "don't mess with the Mommas" at wrestling matches and tournaments...We're just a little intense.

Here's Number Two Son watching intently - so cute! He didn't get to wrestle last night because he didn't have an opponent on the other team in his weight class.

The rest of this week will be crazy busy.  We have Thanksgiving on Thursday, shopping on Friday (am I insane?!?!) and then Saturday we will be gone all day at a wrestling tournament.....Hopefully, I'll be able to show some winning pictures!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I have so much to be thankful for...Car Guy, My Boys, my Sainted Mother, the rest of my family and friends, my job and all my blog friends!  Thanks so much for enriching my life by allowing me into yours!

What To Do?

I'm a little bemused.  Tonight, Car Guy and Number One Son are going to the Duke basketball game.  Number Two Son is having a friend sleep over, so he'll be occupied.  I'll be free and clear for a few hours to do WHATEVER I WANT?!?!  Now I'm trying to decide.  I have TONS of laundry that needs to be done and I do have to stay at home so the boys have some supervision....but who wants to do laundry on a Friday night? Not me.  I'll also have the remote control all to myself.  I can watch anything on TV that I want to....maybe I'll have a chick flick marathon, while I work on my crochet projects.  Maybe I'll get the completed projects blocked.  Maybe I'll read a smut novel while eating way too much chocolate while having a glass of wine...Hmmm.  Oh the possibilities!  Any suggestions?

Not Enough Time!

Where does the time go?  I only asked because I noticed that one of my neighbors actually has a Christmas Tree up.  What?  Did I miss Thanksgiving?  Oh, I hope not because I'm really looking forward to that L Tryptophan nap caused by the Turkey and all the other wonderful food. I'm also looking forward to the Craftsman's Fair and, dare I say it, completing most of my Christmas shopping.....gasp! You know my Sainted Mother always told me to dream big.....and finishing my Christmas shopping early is a real big dream.

I'm afraid that life is going to be getting very busy here.  Both of The Boys are on the wrestling team this year and the season is starting to gear up.  The first match is next week and then it will be non stop - matches during the week and tournaments on the week ends.  Add the holidays to that and I'm going to be busier than a one armed paper hanger.  I'll try not to bore everyone with pictures of The Boys at their wrestling matches - Two wrestlers, twice the pictures....as long as I can remain calm enough to take them.  I have a tendency to get a little antsy when they wrestle.  Please note - This is Number One Son pinning his opponent, not rolling around on the mat.  This picture is also a couple of years old.  He's grown so much since then.

So please bear with me.  I haven't dropped off the face of the earth.  And please continue to come by because I do enjoy the visits!

Veterans' Day - a day late, but still sincere

'Nuff said.  A heart felt thanks to all the veterans out there - Friends, Family and Strangers - that allow me to have the privileges I have.

Seventeen Years Ago

Seventeen years ago today my life irrevocably changed.  After thirty-six hours of intense back pain, I managed to produce the most beautiful, stubborn, kind hearted, sarcastic, intelligent, red headed babies ever. He was born sunny side up, with his eyes wide open and he was looking right at me.  At that moment, even though I felt like I'd been hit by an eighteen wheeler, I also felt like I could take on the world and win.

He has grown up entirely too fast. He started out as a chunky little rolly polly baby with the sweetest smile.  As he's grown, he has maintained that sweet smile even though his face has lost it's roundness.  He went from grabbing my legs for balance to standing tall and spreading his wings. He has given me some of my brightest moments.  He has made me feel so powerful.  He has scared the life out of me and made me feel so humble. He's part of the reason I get up every day and do what I do.  He's enriched my life and broken my heart just by being a part of it.  I can truthfully say that this is one of the best things I've ever done. Happy Birthday Baby!  I love you and always remember, no matter how big you get, how old you get or how far away life may take you, you will always be my baby.

Oh! The Shame!!

I can't believe I'm admitting this.  It's rather embarrassing. Particularly for a southern woman.  You see, we pride ourselves on our cooking.  Even in these modern times, it's important.  I can make fried chicken.  I make really good gravy.  I'm a good cook.  That's not vanity. It's just that I've cooked enough meals and received enough compliments to know this.  Besides....no one has died...yet.  But that could all change.  It doesn't seem to matter how many times I try, one item still defeats me.....I can't tell you how much this hurts......I can't make biscuits.  I don't know why.  Car Guy and The Boys have weathered every attempt, and there has been some good natured (and not so good natured) ribbing.  But my biscuits are *cringe* hockey pucks in disguise.  They should be registered as a lethal weapons.  One biscuit across the ol' noggin and you will be down for a couple of hours, at least.  It's so embarrassing, I'm dieing here.  I was raised on biscuits and gravy.  It's in my blood, but evidently, not in my skill set.  Is there anyone out there who can help me?

I've made stew for dinner.  It's cooked all day, so it will be really yummy.  The house smells amazing and maybe, there will be enough to soak the biscuits in....So this is my plea....I'm begging for an intervention....someone save my family from this shame...and run to the store for some Pillsbury biscuits before someone breaks a tooth!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

In honor of All Hollow's Eve, Elvis came back for a visit. 

He had a limited appearance of last Wednesday night only and then he quickly disappeared.  Wonder why?  For some reason he couldn't get his lip to curl because I he was too busy laughing.

And it wouldn't be Halloween without a witch.  Lisa is one of the sweetest witches you'll ever meet.  

This is Susan (in the orange) and Renee (in the blue).  You might remember Renee from this post.  She was one of my very influential teachers.  Both of these ladies are remarkable.  Guaranteed to make you smile on a bad day. Don't they look like they're up to something...they probably are.  That's half the fun!

She really is just one of the sweetest women.

Here's my Sainted Mother and Eleanor.  Eleanor is our local librarian.  She doesn't quite fit the stereotype, does she?  She has the most infectious laugh.

And this is me and one of my best friends, Sue (in the blue).  She's as beautiful on the inside as she is the outside.  She's one of my "go to girls."  Whenever I'm having a bad day or a good day, I can count on Sue to be there and share in my triumphs and cry with me when I need it.  She always has a ready glass of wine and a shoulder or a hug. How lucky am I?

Susan (the one in the orange) is The Soap Lady.  On the last Wednesday of the month we all get together at her store, of the same name. We bring wine and food and have Ladies' Night.  As Susan says, "It's not about selling anything, it's about the fellowship."  Sure we go and spend our money, that's part of the fun.  But we also go to lift each other up so we can get through this crazy world until the next "Last Wednesday."

Thanks Ladies!  You enrich my life and warm my heart!

Finally! Cars and Stuff

Well, the weather is now sunny and beautiful!  No crazy storms to keep me up at night and The Boys have teacher work days so they get a two day break from school.....this means I finally have access to the computer!

First, here are the pictures from Car Guy's (and my) day at the Oktoberfest.  Fair warning: There are many gratuitous car photos here.  Ladies, if this bores you (and I can understand if it does) please move along to lower section of this post....

Car Guy pretending to own this beautiful 356 Porsche

Number One Son cleaning our 914 for the Shine & Show

Isn't this gorgeous!?! One of my favs - E Type Jaguar

By far, one of the best pictures I've ever taken....of a car?!?! What's up with that?

Some of the pictures are a little dark, but I'm still learning.  I was so pleased with the picture above.  As you can tell, there were a lot of beautiful cars.  Number One Son and Car Guy were in Man Heaven!  There was also a Motor Cross - none of us tried it because our car was in the Shine & Show.  And there was food...oh my! The Food!  I wish I had thought to take a picture of the spread they put out.  Yummy! But just so you won't be disappointed....

This is Car Guy's Birthday dinner. Yummy! The bowl on the left is green beans...Not just any green beans, but simmered all day with bacon green beans.  We call them "cooked to death."  They are delicious. In the middle bowl is Country Style Steak with Gravy.  Country Style Steak is cubed steak covered in flour with salt and pepper then fried....very good, but not so good for you.  And in the last bowl on the right are the Mashed Potatoes. No meal in the South with gravy is complete unless you include the "mashed taters."  This is one of Car Guy's favorite meals.  He doesn't get it very often because it probably has no nutritional value.  But it is sooo good.

And here is the Birthday Cake - white cake and chocolate frosting. Can you tell that Car Guy is a traditionalist?  No crazy froufrou food for him.  No sir!  We want good ol' meat and taters.  Stick to your ribs food.  Stuff that makes you want to take a nap immediately after you eat.  He is so happy when the holidays roll around and he gets to feast on this type of stuff.

I will have to give credit where credit is due.  My dear Sainted Mother fixed all this food.  She does this for everyone in the family.  When your birthday rolls around, she fixes you your favorite meal and cake. She's been doing this since I was little.  See how spoiled we are? I am so very lucky to have her!

As you can see, the ripple blanket is almost done.  Just a few more rows and it will keep someone warm and cozy this winter.  Please ignore the sweater to the left cluttering up this photo.

Here's a close up of the yarn.  Isn't it lovely?  It's so soft and the colors are so pretty!

Are you ready?  Here is the Ta Da moment.........

This is a wrap that is a Christmas gift.  The yarn is variegated in shades of cream and gray.....you could see it better if I had remembered to use the flash....and it's a mohair blend, so it's warm and fuzzy, but very light weight. It's also very lacy looking, but I haven't blocked it yet.  I'll show it again once I get it blocked.

This is a tea cozy I made for my Sainted Mother.  I finished it a while back, but I saw it the other night and thought I'd share it with you.  It makes me smile because of all the flowers.

Well, that's all for now.  I'll be posting again soon because I have pictures of the lovely ladies I am fortunate enough to call friends.  We got together last night and as always, had a wonderful time.

Wild Night!

Good Morning All!  As you can see, there are no pictures or posts from last night.  I got off work, picked up The Boys from wrestling practice, got home, fixed dinner, took Number One Son back to school for the soccer game, took pictures of my surprise Ta Da....and had to give up the computer before I even downloaded the pictures.  Number Two Son needed the computer for homework and then the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch - which means that conditions were ripe for a humdinger of a storm and the possibility of a tornado. So I got hang out in the basement and work on Christmas gifts. Thankfully my neighbors were at the soccer game and brought Number One Son home safely....I love my neighbors, they're the best!

So you'd think we had a quiet night, right?  WRONG!  At 3:30 am, we were woken out of a deep sleep because the Weather Alarm Radio started squawking loud enough to wake the dead (that's me when I'm asleep) to lets us know that the National Weather Service had issued a Tornado Warning.  This means that either a Tornado or a Funnel Cloud has been spotted in your general vicinity and you need to take cover. So Car Guy was up for a bit while he kept an eye on things and let us sleep - Sweet man!  I must admit that, while I was rather irritated by being woken up like that, I do prefer the alert and getting my family to safety, if needed, than waking up and having the roof torn off the house.  Tornadoes are scary business because they come out of no where and come fast. This picture was taken by our friend Martin back in April. That ugly storm caused a lot of damage, but fortunately, not for us.  We've been very lucky.

I didn't realize that at my age I wouldn't be getting up at all hours of the night like that. Now, I get to be a total zombie at work....but I'm sure I won't be the only one. Tonight I have the monthly Girl's Night get together and then I'll try again.  Who knows, there might be some extra pictures of some of my favorite ladies!  I'm learning how to use the camera and I think my pictures are getting better...I know, the proof is in the pudding.  I promise to show you!  No really, I will....