It's Official...

Tis The Season To Be Jolly, Fa-la-la-la-la, La-la-la-la.

Finally, I can decorate! Although Wal-Mart, and other retail stores put Christmas decorations up and out, before Halloween, I observe the Thanksgiving rule. And it's on!

Tonight, the children and I will drag the tree and decorations downstairs, and our tree trimming, and hall decking will commence. I've visited several shops, and got some really good ideas. We're adding a few more decorations to the tree, and the house. I'm even considering adding a second tree.

While visiting various shops, I learned about decorating with mesh. It's beautiful on tree's, the fireplace, over doors, just about anywhere you can put garland. Most important, it's inexpensive! A 10-ft roll is about $10.

I absolutely must have the SMELL of Christmas in my house! It's a cinnamony slash piney kind of fragrance. It's hard to describe, but if you smell it... you'll know. Walking into one of the shops I visited recently, the smell of Christmas, hit me in the face, (that's actually the name). Immediately, I knew I had to have it! Their potpourri is outrageously pricey. Now I'm on the hunt for a less expensive potpourri, candle, or oil.

It's going to take us a week to decorate. No, it's not that I plan to do THAT much decorating. But, I do plan to do more than usual, and I don't want to scare Mr. Husband. Too much at one time might send him in to holiday shock. A little bit at a time, and he'll be okay, and he'll not wonder just how much I've spent.

How do you plan to decorate for the holidays?

My Thanksgiving Pies

Another 40s First!

My very first pecan pie! Actually there were two. The other was missing almost ALL of the pie.

My husband had the first taste, only minutes out of the oven. He gave me a Hi-5. My daughter got the next piece, and my Dad had a thin slice, (just in case it wasn't good). Daddy gave me "the nod," when he asked for a second, larger piece.

My family can be harsh when it comes to their picky tastes.

Usually, for family gatherings, they look for me to make a punch bowl cake. Not this year. I wanted to try my hand at pecan pies. Although they liked my pies very well, (there was NONE left), they missed the punch bowl cake.

No, I didn't use an old family secret recipe. I used the recipe from the package of pecans:

3 eggs
1 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. pecan halves
2 (9 in) unbaked or frozen pie crusts (not deep dish)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs, sugar, syrup, butter and vanilla until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour into pie crusts. Bake pie on a cookie sheet 50-55 minutes or until a knife into the center of pie comes out clean. Let cool. Serve at room temperature.

As simple as that!

I Am Grateful

In a couple of days, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Before I get bogged down with cooking, eating, and enjoying my family, I want to reflect on what I am most thankful for this year.

There is a Gospel song by Hezekiah Walker that expresses exactly how I feel at this time. And it says...

I am grateful for the things that You have done
Yes, I'm grateful for the victories we've won
I could go on, and on, and on
About Your works
Because I'm grateful, so grateful
Just to praise you Lord

Flowing from my heart
Are the issues of my heart...
It's gratefulness

This year I am most thankful, and grateful for the lives of my dad, and brother. Dec. 30, they were both shot at point blank range, while being good Samaritans. A really bad day, turned into one of those, "Look at God," kind of year. And for that, I am truly grateful.

Going My Way?

Friday, school was out early for my three girls. Baby-girl is a car rider all the time, and the 12, and 13-year-old's ride the bus unless they have basketball practice. It was Friday, and there was no practice.

Breaking my neck to get to Baby-girls school, I received a text message from 13-year middle daughter, "School's out now."

I text her back one word, "BUS."

A Great Investment

I have three children who are currently playing sports. My son and his football team are in the play-offs, and both middle daughters are playing basketball for two different schools.

Last week 13-year-old middle daughter had two basketball games. Monday, night it cost $20, and an additional $20 for Thursday, night. Friday, it cost our family $30 to attend my son's game.

This week: Monday, 12-year-old middle daughter had a game at 4p.m., it cost $6 for Mr. Husband and I. At 6:30 p.m. the same evening, 13-year-old middle daughter's game cost five of us $20. And this is not the end of the week, or games. Thirteen year-old middle daughter has another game tonight, and tomorrow my son has a football game. Whew!

In the past two weeks, not including what we're going to pay tonight, we've paid $96 to see our kids play basketball, and football. This doesn't include all of the previous football, and soft ball game admissions, tournament fees, and all the stuff that goes along with it like gas, food, shoes, t-shirts... you understand.

I didn't consider the cost of my children being so athletically inclined, until now. When I started to add things up, I was stunned! They're not just good athletes, they're good students, and the investment we're making in our kids is priceless. I wouldn't change a thing!

I remember the days my mother would pull up, honk her horn, and we'd run out, heading to some practice, lesson, game, or meeting. Now, I'm doing the same with my children. And they will do the same with theirs, I'm holding them to it!

I do have one question. Can we put all of that on our taxes?

Q & A

When Was The Last Time You Were A Fashion Don't?!

Mr. Husband, and my oldest daughter have deemed themselves the "Fashion Police," of the Richardson household. Frequently Baby-girl adds her two cents. Most often the subject of their disapproval is... Moi.

In October, I had this great idea to wear something pink every day leading up to the Susan G. Komen 'Race For The Cure.' As the days went on, it became more difficult to find something pink to wear, and make it work.

One particular day, I wore a blue dress, with a pink scarf. I must admit, I thought I was rather cute. That was until I picked Baby-girl up from school. I didn't get the usual "Hey Mama." Instead, I got a real concerned look and, "Did you wear that to work.all.day?"

I gave her a stern "YES, and there is nothing wrong with what I'm wearing!"

As soon as the two middle daughters hit the door, Baby-girl chimed, "Look what Mama wore, aaaaall day today."

When was the last time you were a 'Fashion Don't,' whether you knew it or not?

I Said / She Said

Last night, after middle daughter played in a basket ball game, and getting home after 8:30 p.m, she still had homework to do. Instead of going to bed and leaving her alone, I stayed up. I watched a little TV, and it SEEMS... I feel asleep.

My version of what happened later...

At 2:30, in the a.m., I woke up, and with one eye noticed the time on the clock. Then I realized, I was STILL on the couch, in my clothes. Middle daughter turned all the lights off around me, and went to bed, leaving me on.the.couch.

Middle daughter's version of what happened later...

MD: Mama, I'm finished

Me: Ok

Two minutes later

MD: Mama

Me: Whaaaaat!

MD: Are you going to bed?

Me: No!

She turns the lights out and go to bed.

____________

Hours later after apparently turning off my alarm, I woke up at 6:25, 35 minutes late. I yell upstairs for everyone to get up, we're running late, and to hit the ground running. I call them a second time at 6:30. Then I get a text.

MD: My body is aching, and I'm so tired.

Me: Get up!

After a couple of seconds, and a little thought...

Me: Don't text me anymore from up stairs!

What am I going to do with this one!

Household Experiment

My daughters friend has three very adorable children. 'The Babies,' are two girls, three and one and-a-half, and a six month old boy. When I'm in need of a baby fix, we (my children and I) pick them up, and love on them for a few hours.

Saturday, like always my children were smothering, and fussing all over them. The oldest wanted to color, and Baby Girl, gave both toddlers crayons. The three-year-old colored on her paper, and the other on the wall.

Immediately, I got on the Internet and searched, "How to remove crayon from walls." Clicking on the first item that popped up, it suggested three methods of removal. And the science experiment began.

#1 Finger nail polish remover:
Finger nail polish DOES NOT remove purple crayon from walls. What it does remove is PAINT!
Now there is a brown patch, (the wall), where blue paint used to be. BUSTED

#2 - A hair dryer, and dish washing liquid:
The dryer should have melted, or softened the crayon, making it easy for the soap to just wash it off. That didn't happen either. The heat only caused the crayon to run. BUSTED

#3 - Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
While I tried numbers one and two, my oldest daughter went to the store to buy Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Just as the name boasts, it works like magic! I didn't have to use a lot of elbow grease, or stand on my head and scrub for 20 minutes. It worked quickly, and like a charm!
From now on, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will be on hand for the tough stuff! WORKED

Shortly after removing the crayon, I redecorated slightly! That ficus tree that I wanted to get rid of is no longer in the den. It has now taken up residence in the library, covering the naked spot on the wall. And Mr. Husband, who was at work, is none the wiser. SHhh!

Five Question Friday

Browsing around, reading blogs from my blog roll, Keely post today is Five Question Firday. And not having a clue about today's post, I jumped on the band wagon. If you'd like to join in click on through, and join in the fun.

Five Question Friday

1. What is your dream job?

I'd love to be someones Social Media Networking Specialist! How cool would it be to, write a blog, Facebook, Tweet... (stuff I'm doing any way, and loving it), and get paid to do it.

2. What song could you play over and over?

The Black Eyed Peas, "I've Got A Feeling." Since they appeared on Oprah, for her kick-off party, I'm so loving that song!

3. Do you prefer to talk on the phone or text (or email)?

Talk, for sure. There's just something about hearing the others person's voice on the other end. When Texting or emailing, I miss the pause in a voice or the obvious smile, (yeah you can hear a smile), the inflection, or the excitement in a person's voice. I love real communication.

4. What is your must have beauty product?

Eye liner for sure! I don't have to have my powder, or even lip gloss, but I have to have my eyes lined.

5. What is your favorite Michael Jackson song?

Hmmmmm. Today, it's 'The Way You Make Me Feel.'

She's In The 5th Grade!

Earlier this week while combing baby girls hair for school, I look in the mirror, her face is long, and nose looks like Rudolph.

I ask,"And what's wrong with you?"

"I don't want my hair like this," she whispers.

"And what's wrong with your hair?"

"Mama, I'm in the 5th grade."

Can some one tell me when 5th GRADE became the... no more barrettes and balls, no more than two pony tail, pig tails, or what ever the flipity-flop they're called, I'm a big girl now, mile marker? Was there a summit, pow-wow, or meeting of the minds? If there was, NO ONE bothered to tell me nothing, or forward the minutes!

I have four girls, and she's the youngest. It would seem, I'd have it in the bag by now. WRONG!

Reading is Fundamental!

Saturday, I noticed the car sounding a little weird. Checking the power steering fluid, I confirmed my suspicions, it was empty. There was none in the trunk where Mr. Husband always keeps extra. So I let him know the car was in need.

Later that evening, I noticed a bag on the table containing a bottle of car stuff. Mr. Husband is really good about making sure the vehicles are kept up.

Sunday morning, Mr. Husband headed off to work. As the kids and I were leaving for church, the bag was still sitting on the table. Wanting to be a help, I decided to take care of it when we returned. We left, taking the van instead.

After church, I changed my clothes, grabbed the keys to the car, the bag, and headed out side. Minding my own business, feeling good about helping my husband, I started pouring. Spilling a little, I noticed the fluid was red... Power steering fluid hasn't.been.red before.

Finally I read the bottle, Transmission Fluid, was in bright red!

I put the cap back on, closed the bottle, slammed the hood closed, and backed away from the car really slow. Wanting to fall on the ground kicking and screaming, I couldn't believe it. Just a month and a half ago, I hit my neighbor's mailbox for the second time, and now this!

Being smart, I didn't start the car, and instructed both driving children to LEAVE THE CAR ALONE! I called Mr. Husband, and explained what I did... He was quiet, real quiet!

From now on, the only things I'm putting into our vehicles is gas, groceries, and my children!