DiStefano Daily Diversions

Crafty Christmas

2009-12-22T00:21:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we celebrated Christmas with David's family. David's family is BIG so handmade gifts are in order! I love doing crafty things and each year try to come up with something that everyone will enjoy. This year I decided to make my mom's sugared pecans for the men in the family. They are yummy and soooo easy! I found these cute Chinese takeout boxes at Target that were the perfect size.

I have also recently discovered the most amazing scrapbook artist (Kristin Aagard) who helped me out tremendously by giving away these free gift tags on her blog. Even though I had purchased the Merry and Bright kit, having these gift tags, saved me a ton of time! Thank you so much Kristin! :-)

Aren't they so cute!

mmmmmmm...yummy cinnamon and sugar pecans!

Here they are with their cute little tags! I think they turned out great and the guys loved them!

For the ladies, I made soap...fun!

I think my favorite was the green tea...I love that scent!

Saying grace before the meal has it's own little challenge. This year we decided to stretch around the pool! Lots of new little ones this year...so precious and cute!

David's sister bought all of the little ones matching sweaters! She said all those years in Catholic school make her think that everyone should be dressed alike. By this time the kids were partied out and we had a few pouters, lol!

And the one who started it all...my sweet mother-in-law Bernice!

My crafty oldest daughter decorated her sweater for an annual Christmas sweater party...now that sounds like a fun party!

Complete with a Santa ornament on the back! HA!

And here is the recipe for sugared pecans just in case you would like to make some for your friends and family.

SUGARED PECANS

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.

Beat one egg white and 1 tsp. cold water with wire whisk or fork until frothy but not stiff. Add 1 pound pecan halves, stir until coated well. In another bowl, mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Add egg coated pecans and mix well until all are coated. Place evenly on buttered (or Pam sprayed) jelly roll pan. Bake at 225 degrees for one hour. Stir every 15 minutes. You can do two batches at one time but rotate pans after 30 minutes.

I filled 12 of the takeout containers with about 2 1/2 pounds of pecans.

I hope you are enjoying your holidays and spending time with those you love!

Cheers!

One Semester of Piano...

2009-12-12T16:18:00.000-08:00

...and she sounds great!

Fun at the Horse Lots!

2009-11-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago I took Jacque D up to the horse lots to photograph the horses for a school project. We had such a great time and Jac got some really great pics of the horses. While she was taking pictures I was taking pictures of her! Some of them seemed to really like her...

Especially this little girl...

She was down for some close ups...

Hello there...

What 'cha got?

Look, mommy...he likes me!

Ok, now...let someone else have a turn...

Told you she liked my baby girl...

What are we...chopped liver?

and oh, the light was so beautiful!

Off to the next adventure!

I Think She Is In Love!

2009-11-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

Cameron Doo got some new wheels yesterday! I think it is safe to say she loves it! Thanks to Laura Ann and I hope Cam takes as good of care of the "B" as you did! She says she loves it and it's a boy but she doesn't know his name yet! We have a habit of naming things we love, lol! It'll come to her!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T22:24:00.001-07:00

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Because it's been a while...

and I just can't help myself...

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

2009-08-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

Big Baby Girl turned 25 today! It's so hard for me to fathom that 25 years ago today I became a mom! And oh, how happy and proud we were of our little baby girl! Twenty five years later we are just as proud, even though there are occasions that she still makes us want to pull our hair out! HA!

I remember my pregnancy, labor and delivery as though it were yesterday...it's no wonder that Cameron was the strong willed child with all that I did when I was pregnant with her. Let's see, I performed gymnastics while pregnant, taught gymnastics, painted our house, swam every day, walked every day, and once when my doctor started ragging on me about my weight I rode my bycycle 10 miles the day before my appointment (and did I mention it was during my 8th month of pregnancy!) Well, he did tell me that I could continue my activities as usual!

Never one to cry wolf and not wanting to arrive at the hospital and be in false labor we waited until we knew for sure before leaving. David loves to tell the story of our drive there because I made him stop at a car wash so I could walk a little. I had terrible leg cramps and couldn't even sit down in the car. I rode to the hospital on my knees while hugging the front seat. When we arrived at the emergency room the nurse who escorted us in asked me if I was in labor and I said "I think so." I THINK so!!! Once settled in to the birthing room and checked I was actually 1 cm away from being fully dilated. YIKES! Cameron showed her stubborn side during labor too as I quit having contractions and she had to be delivered with forceps. When Cameron was born we did not have health insurance because David was out of work. I chose my doctor by calling around in the phone book asking what they charged to deliver a baby! Oh, I laugh about it now! My doctor was Spanish and although he spoke English it was with a very heavy accent. He was truly a wonderful doctor but when he leaned over me in the birthing room and told me that we were going to have to go into the delivery room because he was going to have to use forceps and I said, "Oh, great...what is that going to cost?" I can only imagine what he thought of me! A few moments later I was holding my beautiful baby girl and the world changed forever for us! We began our journey in to parenthood totally smitten and the last 25 years of my life being a parent to all of our children has been a wonderful ride!

I love you baby girl and wish you the best birthday ever on this, your quarter century mark! I know that great things lie ahead for you sweetheart!

I love you THIS much and to the moon and back!

Momma

Sharing a Little Vacation...

2009-07-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

On our way to Garner State Park this year we took a little detour to New Braunfels to Gruene Grind Coffee Company! This is the coffee shop that my sister just opened right down the road from Gruene Hall. I am so happy and proud for her...she has combined two of her favorite things in life...coffee and music.

I totally love the look of the place! Isn't it so cool?!

Aunt Pam was nice enough to come back up after closing hours to fix us all a drink. They were all yummy! I had the caramel latte cuz my sweet little daddy recommended it, plus I needed the caffeine for the trip, lol!

Can you see how proud my mom and dad are? They are loving their new jobs helping Pam in the shop! (I think they are anyway, haha!) Pam (aka Doodle) has always been the musical talent in the family and she can play any instrument. She took piano lessons as a child and first learned to play the guitar from a show that was on PBS when she was just three years old. My daddy played in a band when we were little and there was always music in our home. Mom told me that Pam and her friend Geri would be playing the next Saturday and asked if we would drive back in as a surprise. So, on Saturday, one week in to our vacation, we made the drive back and I'm so glad that we did. It was great to see my sister up there doing what she loves and does best!

When we arrived my mom was at the cash register taking orders and my dad was helping out making drinks and washing dishes. I offered to help but they told me no to just enjoy the moment but it quickly became apparent that they really needed my help. I got in the kitchen and started washing dishes while still enjoying the music. Daddy was rushing around waiting on customers, making drinks, helping my mom and trying to quickly train me on the specific way in which dishes were to be washed. They get washed, rinsed and then rinsed in bleach water for sterilization purposes and placed in a drain rack. Have they never heard of a dishwasher...I mean a mechanical dishwasher, lol?! While Daddy was out front I changed the wash water and the next time he was back in the kitchen he said, "Ewww, Winnie (my nickname)...that's too much soap." I said, "Don't worry Daddy...I won't work here long!" He was so funny! I was trying to dry some of the dishes to place back out on the counter and then my mom came back and said, "Oh, you can't dry the dishes...they have to drip dry." I said, "Well, how 'bout if I hide and dry them?" Are you getting the picture here? They are rule followers, I am a rule breaker, lol! We have had a lot of laughs about this whole thing getting off the ground. My mom says my dad is afraid of the cash register (it's a touch screen) and the espresso machine, my dad complains that mom won't let him just do what he is good at which is making smoothies! So, if you stop by and want a smoothie...he's your man, lol! Don't ask him to ring you up though!

An extra special surprise was when Doodle asked Jacque to share the stage with her and she accepted!

See that look of pride on Aunt Pam's face?

Thank you girls! You made my night!

Well, Gruene Grind was not the only fun we had on vacation. Garner is something we do every year and it's just always so nice to get away and relax and visit with friends on the best river in Texas. Although no one ever says this I am sure they are wondering why in the world we go back to the same place every year for vacation. There was a t-shirt in the gift shop one year that said "It's a Garner thing...you wouldn't understand" and if you have never been to Garner then you don't understand. It's just one of those traditions that if you don't continue it, your life just doesn't seem normal! The river, skies, stars, landscape are all just so beautiful! It is truly God's country! Can you blame us for going back every year?

One of the highlights of our stay are the annual frisbee football games (it's a Garner thing!) that the kids play. I love to go down to the pavilion and watch and take pictures but the games can get pretty intense. After a near face plant by Nick, Leighton almost running into a stone wall and August diving as if he were on the football field I suggested that they play down in the grassy area instead of on the dance floor. Leighton let me know that it wouldn't be the same there because of all the people who hang around just to watch them. It is true...they draw quite the audience! and I get great shots like these:

A couple pics of our campsite...and wow, we had a trailer this year!

This is my all time favorite piece of camping gear. David made it from a sink that was tossed in the trash. It makes washing dishes so much easier!

At night we head on down to the pavilion to dance under the beautiful starry Texas skies!

The annual tree picture

No trip is ever complete without stopping at Neal's for a home cooked meal...

Shopping at The Dry Fifty...

Taking pics at some of the hot spots...

and this year we added a stop...pig shopping on the way back home! Check out their plastic boots, ha!

It was another great year even though some friends and our oldest baby girl were missing...hopefully next year they will be able to join us again!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer too!

Where I've Been...

2009-07-18T20:32:00.001-07:00

We are back from our annual sojourn at Garner State Park. We had a great time but it's always good to be home. It was very hot this year and the Frio River was not even enough to cool us down. The drought that the area is experiencing is considered to be the worst ever on record. Haven't had much time to catch the news since we got home but I am hoping that the area got some much needed rain as we did.

One of the first things that we did upon returning was head to the barn to check on our animals. My friend, Christy had told me that our Momma Cat at the barn had been attacked by a pit bull and had been missing for three days. Can you believe that a parent would be foolish enough to bring a dog to the barn knowing that there is a Momma Cat and her kittens there? I am just appalled that someone would be so thoughtless. I retrieved my keys from Christy, fed our animals and went home. A few hours later Christy called to tell me that she had found Momma Cat and that she was pretty tore up. She asked me to come back to the barn to have a look at her. Bless her little heart...she had been hiding amongst some wheelbarrows. She was extremely dehydrated and was dragging her back legs. She had a wound on her bottom which had become infested with fly larvae (I can't bring myself to type the "M" word!) We gave her some water and Christy felt like she was beyond helping and thought that we should have her put to sleep. I said, "Now, wait a minute...maybe Rusty can fix her up." Rusty is our vet friend in Nome and if anyone could save her, he was our man. She called Rusty while I called August and Leighton to come up and help us with her. August and Leighton washed out her wound and flushed it with iodine and peroxide and gave her water. Rusty told us to take her home and keep her cool and try to get some antibiotics in her and to bring her out in the morning. Poor little momma cat...when we brought the kennel out she tried to crawl right in as if she knew we were trying to help her.

Do you remember Momma Cat? I have blogged about her before...

She seemed to rest peacefully yesterday and I actually held out some hope that she would be able to pull through. Even though she was unable to walk I knew that she still had feeling in her legs. I loaded her up in my van today and headed to Nome and the news was not good. Rusty said that her rectum was completely torn out and that the best thing would be to put her to sleep. Oh, it just broke my heart! I stayed with her through the procedure and tried to reassure her that she had been loved.

I know all of this may seem so silly...afterall, she was only a barn cat. But, I am, and will always be an animal lover. Blame it on Miss Twiggley's Tree, a favorite childhood story of mine. I had aspirations of my own to live in a tree house and rescue stray dogs. Or perhaps it was my Pappy telling me about the farm he would have some day...I just wish that the person who thought it was a good idea to bring a pit bull to the barn (and apparently without a leash) would have realized that it was not a good idea at all before this had to happen. I would like to snatch their heads off right about now!

My two sweet sons buried her at the barn tonight...I have the best kids ever!

Feeling very sad tonight ...

It's Been A While...

2009-06-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Not that things aren't going on or that I don't have anything to say (I always do, lol!)...just not much inclination or time to blog as of late. We went to the barn today to take pictures of Leighton's steer with his sponsors but we got stood up, lol! I'm sure it was because of the short notice they were given not that they didn't want to be there. In any event, I grabbed a quick shot of Little Man and Studlee (as he is now known). They are both growing like weeds!

And both looking mighty fine if I do say so myself!

Ciao!

hmmmm....

2009-05-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

does this count as a manicure...or pedicure??? The hoof trimmer made the rounds at our barn. Looks a little scary but it's not all that bad. At least for us...that's quite a contraption on the back of that trailer!

Peaches isn't all that sure about it...

Kinda reminds me of a ride at Astroworld, lol!

Okay, I'm going to go with, ummmmm....pedicure...

That's one powerful fingernail grinder thingey...

Leighton tried to offer his support...

Doesn't look too much like it is working!

Look at the fingernail dust flying!

Almost done...

Time for a bath and blow dry...

And look how purdy you are now Peaches!

Just loverly!

On to the next adventure!

Jacque D Goes to Prom!

2009-05-09T13:52:00.001-07:00

This was kind of a last minute thing but she was so excited to get to go to prom because so many of her friends are seniors this year. Thanks to Jac's bestie, Emerie, for doing makeup and nails and to Ms. Britney for the hair! So pretty girlie! Mommy loves u cuz you are as pretty on the inside as you are on the outside!!!

Jacque and Emerie have been friends since preschool and I went to school with her mom! Emerie is an amazing artist so it is not surprising that she is good with the makeup!

I'm glad you had a good time baby girl!

By Observation

2009-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

As my children grow older I realize the things I have taught them through observation. Our oldest daughter, Cameron, works in a restaurant and recently she learned that a co-worker's father had passed away. Cameron wanted to make food to take over for the family. This is something she has seen us do many times and lately it seems it is a tradition that is falling "out of style." I'm not sure if this is just a southern thing, but I do know that it only takes one experience of losing a close family member in the heart of a close knit southern community to understand what I am talking about. In any event, Cameron spoke with her boss and told him that she was going to cook for the family and he told her that she was welcome to raid the restaurant's pantry for any of the ingredients that she needed. She had decided to make her grandmother's Chicken Tetrazini, and let me tell you, it is delicious! On Sunday, she called the restaurant manager to let him know that she would be on her way and that the owner had told her she could pick up some stuff from the kitchen. He told her that was fine and asked what she was making. "Chicken Tetrazini," she said. The manager began laughing and Cameron asked, "What's so funny about Chicken Tetrazini?" Well, it seems that Maury Povitch had a guest on his show who had a specific complaint about chicken tetrazini. Just click on the link below and watch the clip! I promise you won't be disappointed...pretty funny stuff!

Chicken Tetrazini

I must admit there are occasions where I get caught up in Maury. I usually watch Family Feud when eating lunch, or it is sometimes just on here during the noon hour. Not that I really sit down and watch it. But...Maury airs right after Family Feud and so I sometimes find myself wrapped up in whether or not Antwain is the father of Shenequa's baby, if you KWIM? Or if Jamal cheated on Chantelle. Funny, one day David came home and wanted to know, "Why are you watching THAT?" I hardly noticed...hey, I'm the mom of four and you can ask anyone who knows me...I do know how to tune a lot of things out. But, still, from time to time, like I said...I get caught up!

In any event, I'm glad that the tradition of cooking for folks who are dealing with the loss of a loved one will continue with my children. And just in case you are in need of a good recipe for Chicken Tetrazini, I'm sharing mine with you. Just don't go seducing anyone's man with it, ya hear!

CHICKEN TETRAZINI (Grandma style)

1 whole chicken (we use boneless, skinless chicken breasts...about 4)
2-3 celery stalks

Boil chicken with celery, salt and whole peppercorns until chicken is tender. Cool and cut chicken in bite size pieces.

Save broth.

Melt 1 stick margarine in 2 quart saucepan. Saute 1 whole chopped onion, 1 small bell pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup flour and then 1 quart milk. Cook until sauce thickens. Add 1/2 lb. grated cheddar cheese, 1/2 lb. grated American cheese, 1/4 lb. grated Mozarella cheese, fresh parsley, 1 small can button mushrooms, 1 small jar pimentos, and 1 small can sliced black olives. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook 1 1/2 lbs. spaghetti noodles in chicken broth and drain. Pour sauce over chicken and noodles and mix well. Feeds an army (well 12-14 people AT least!)

Enjoy!

Leighton's First Steer Show!

2009-04-29T12:46:00.001-07:00

This weekend was so, so busy with us cooking for the FFA BBQ Scholarship fundraiser, a senior session in Livingston and a steer show in Crosby. It was fun to finally watch Leighton in the show ring with his steer...and he and the steer did a pretty good job!

This is Leighton getting ready to go into the ring. Check out the country boys in the background. I love this picture!

More waiting...

My friend Christy giving Leighton a pop quiz on his steer's weight, feed, etc. Sometimes the judge will ask these questions in the arena and it's best if you know the answers, lol!

We can do this, kid!

See, I told you the judge sometimes asks questions...he wanted to know the weight. 877 pounds! WOW!

Leighton was second in his class...so, pretty good first outing!

Setting up...

Waiting to go into the arena for the grand champion drive...

Grand champion drive...Now it's time to see what we can do to improve and change things up a bit! All in all it was a great experience and I'm looking forward to the next outing!

Until next time...

Gallery Wrap Contest by MCP & Color, Inc.

2009-04-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to MCP Actions and Color, Inc. Lab for this opportunity!

I am entering this photo in the MCP Actions/Color Inc. Win a Gallery Wrap Canvas Photo Contest at http://mcpactions.com/blog. I certify that I took this photo and give both parties permission to use this photograph on their blogs/sites.

Wish me and Baby Gavin luck! :-)

Finally...

2009-04-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

My website debut...

Darla DiStefano Photography

It's about time...I'll be the first to say it! There are still a few holes to fill in and lots more pics I could have posted but just wanted to get it LIVE! Hope you like it!

In case you were wondering...

2009-04-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

how the Astros won tonight? Well, they had a little help from us! I mean, seriously, how could it happen...Roy O wasn't pitching, two runners left on base in the ninth, the Tejada throwing error...I could go on. You don't really think they did it without a little help from us, do you?

That's right, live from our very own living room, we worked our magic. Here, the Astros were moments away from having their second home game slip through their fingers, when my quick thinking son (the genius that he is!) rallied us together and urged us to put on our "rally caps." "Mom, put on your rally cap!" he said.

"I don't have a cap," said I! "Just put something, anything!" he cried! Luckily I had my handy, dandy "rally" phone and quickly placed it on my head. We were all doing our balancing act while we waited with bated breath as Jeff Keppinger knocked in the winning run! Thank goodness for extremely high heels, gold plastic cups and telephones laying around our house! It may just turn out that "these" Astros are worth watching afterall!

And, so, now you might be wondering, "hmmmm, did she photoshop her face." Well, hell, yeah, I did! It's my face isn't it? I can photoshop it if I want to! :-P Hey, I look good in black and white, lol!

Sure do miss you Brad, Craig, & Jeff! Boo Hoo...but did you see the amazing play by Berkman at first? Wow!

Go Astros!

I sure do miss this...

2009-03-25T22:24:00.001-07:00

No, not David's hair, silly...

I miss watching my Bubba play football!

Yes, Virginia, there really are Bubbas in Texas! ;-)

I'm setting the world on fire...

2009-03-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

one text message at a time!

So, I got a new phone the other day. This one:

And with my new phone, I got a new plan. A plan that allows me to text. Unlimited text! Wow! I've never had that. My kids have, but not me. So, anyway, I have discovered, texting is fun. I love texting my kids. You know the typical parent/child text messages like: where r u? when r u coming home? where r u? i luv u! come bring me a pillow! did you brush ur teeth? where r u? Well, you get the picture. My kids love texting me too! They send me messages like: what's 4 dinner? where r u? i forgot my lunch money. i luv u. what's 4 dinner? come get me. what's 4 dinner? K, so, now you really get the picture.

I've made a few mistakes along the way as I'm learning to become an expert at texting. One of my first mistakes was when I thought I had Little Man's phone number memorized and I typed it in and then wrote him this text: where r u? Shortly thereafter I received a call from a young lady saying, "uh, yes, I just missed a text from this number. Who is this?" "Oh," I said, "I am so sorry, I was trying to text my son and I guess I put in the wrong number." To which she replied, "uh-huh." as she abruptly hung up the phone. I guess I got someone in trouble! Oops!

Second mistake was made today when I sent a text to my daughter. I mistakenly typed in one wrong number as I sent her this text: I took ur car 2 get a haircut. I think daddy has my keys. Be home soon. She was asleep and not wanting to wake her I thought I would be clever by sending her a text. That way if she woke up, she would know where her car was. It wasn't long that I realized my mistake and wondered if I should send some sort of "correction text". While I was forwarding the original text to my daughter a new text came in. Yep, it was from the number I sent the original text to. The text read: Who is this? I wrote back: I'm sorry, wrong number. Soon, another text arrived: But who is this? Yikes! I didn't answer. Then another text: Who is this? Gives you head! What the hell? What is that supposed to mean??? A friend of my son's was with me and quickly looked up the area code to which I had sent the mistaken message and told me it was in Iowa. Crazy corn farmers, I thought! Back the heck off of me...I'm new at this! The next text arrived and now they were shouting at me: WHO IS THIS... Persistent little corn farmer! Leave me alone crazy person, I think to myself. Sitting at my computer later, a call comes in. Don't you know it was from none other than the crazy corn farmer in I O W A! Dang! This person was not going to go away. Well, I showed them...I just didn't answer. HA! Later I was telling August about it and he said, "oh, you have some girl thinking that their boyfriend or husband is cheating on them?" Good gosh! Who thinks like that??? Well, I guess it is a lot more people than I would ever imagine. Who has that kind of time on their hands? I haven't heard anything more since the phone call and I'm hoping someone doesn't crawl through my window tonight with a scythe in their hand wanting to know who I am! But, like I said, I'm setting the world on fire with my new texting capability, lol!

Until next time...

Leighton Lands a Steer!

2009-03-09T22:11:00.001-07:00

Yep! Leighton was selected to receive the steer for the GP FFA chapter! I am really proud of him. The interview went very well...he did a great job. Now the work begins!

We have had the steer since February 11th and still don't have a name for him. He is from Kinsel Ranch in Beaumont and they called him Peaches but August and Leigh think that sounds too girly. He does have a pretty peach tone but we are still trying to figure out what to call him. Any ideas?

He is actually pretty good on a halter...much easier than Allie was!

This project is definitely going to be an adventure!

We went to the San Antonio rodeo with Leighton's pig February 17th. He didn't place but we had a pretty good time. It's always good to spend time with our kiddos...can't go wrong there. Even if that time is spent in a barn, lol!

Until next time...

How Lucky Am I?

2009-02-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

We had a time consuming dish on the menu tonight. Well, actually I should say "I" had a time consuming dish on the menu tonight. I don't really do too much cooking around here. David does most of it. So, yeah, that in itself makes me a lucky girl! One of my favorite meals is our beef enchiladas. I got the recipe from my YaYa Y in Goliad, who got it from her mother in law. Everything is made from scratch (except the corn tortillas) so it takes a while to make. David didn't really want to undertake enchiladas tonight so I told him I would do it. What was I thinking! I decided to see if August wanted to learn how to make enchiladas. To my delight he did! We spent the next hour and a half in the kitchen with me showing him how. All of our kids are good cooks. How could they not be with a Dad who is such a wonderful cook. Plus we've been baking and cooking together for years and years! It was fun and I passed on a recipe to him. He also made the Spanish rice. We are still trying to figure this one out. Who would think something that seems so easy would be so hard for us. We have tried many different ways. This was the closest we have come to REAL Spanish rice but still not totally there yet. So, yeah, how lucky am I to have my 18 year old son in the kitchen with me on a Friday night!

The finished pan of enchiladas! Yum!!!! Definitely fattening!!!

I think we did a good job! Look how pretty!

On another note...meet Buster, our pig who is headed to the San Antonio Livestock Show in a week or so. He is such a sweetie, even if he does like to eat dirt!

Until next time!

It's a Wrap!

2009-02-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

And I enjoyed every second of all three performances!

The very talented cast and crew...

Cameron attended the final performance with me and she joined the cry baby club! HA! When Jacque sang her first solo I peeked over at Cameron and saw tears forming in her eyes. So funny because remember when I said she asked me how in the world I was going to sit through that show three times...well, maybe now she gets it. My tough girl Cameron who followed her question with "Ugh, I don't think I'm having kids. Diapers, bottles, throw up!" Yeah, and sitting through three performances of your baby girl singing in a beautiful voice and hanging on to every minute...yeah, I think she gets it now. A few more pictures, just for fun!

Little Shop of Horrors

2009-01-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

Last night was opening night of the musical Little Shop of Horrors at Jacque's school. She plays the part of Ronette and she did an awesome job! Actually, everyone did! Our Seymour and Audrey are great, the dentist was hilarious, the musicians were terrific and our choir director, Mr. Ponce was amazing as the voice of Audrey II. Everyone just did a super job! I can't wait to go and see it again tonight and Saturday. When I was getting ready to head out my oldest, Cameron, asked me, "Mom, how can you go and sit through the same show three nights in a row." I told her, "That's just what mommies do!" Yes, mommies sit and watch and beam with pride and there were a lot of us in the audience last night. Daddies too! Come out and watch the show! You won't be disappointed!

From Heifers to Steers

2009-01-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

We are about to embark on ANOTHER animal journey! When Little Man returned to school after the holidays he was told of an incredible opportunity. Mr. Rountree and the GPISD Education Foundation were sponsoring two students for a steer project in FFA. When Leighton first told me about the opportunity I told him that I didn't think he should apply. We have kind of stuck to pigs and goats in the past...and with good reason. As you know, I have that affliction of being struck by cupid's arrow when it comes to our animals. But then I thought it was just too good of an opportunity to pass on and perfect timing as well. Leighton won't have a heifer until he is a junior in high school and so I encouraged him to fill out the application. He and another student from GP were selected for the interview process. He was interviewed by two of the ag teachers and a GPISD administrator. Quite intimidating but he did very well! Friday we were told he was selected to receive the steer which will arrive sometime around February 10th! So, we are excited but a little scared too (at least I am!) Leighton isn't afraid of anything that I know of (unfortunately!) Here he is all dressed up for the interview.

One of the requirements of the project is to scrapbook the experience so I started with the interview!

Wish us luck!

Free Day at the Zoo

2009-01-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

Lions and Tigers and Bears and Humans, OH MY! Yesterday was the annual choir field trip to the zoo. Jacque asked me to chaperone and reluctantly I agreed. You see, she adores the zoo. I do too...most days...except when it is FREE ADMISSION! Free admission equals scads and scads of people. I don't do crowds very well. Never really have. Avoid them at all costs. That may sound mean but it's really that it's harder to have things your own way when there are lots of people around. Especially at the zoo. You know, I like having my way. I like being able to stand AT the rail to watch the sea lions for as long as I please. Not standing on my tippie toes and weaving back and forth just trying to catch a glimpse. And then there are the people who do just that. Stand at the rail for as long as they please, like they don't see me in their peripheral vision weaving back behind them. The audacity! Grrrr....!!! Anyway, the rhinocerus died, the hippo is gone...so many things have changed. Well, with all the people there it didn't take me long to start thinking about how I really hate big crowds. Heck we had to park in the medical center by TIRR for pete's sake! So when I start thinking about my distaste for crowds it always brings to mind a book my mom and dad used to read to my sister and I. The name of it is "The Three Billys Go to Town" by Nancy Howard. I love that book! I think it is out of print now but it was our absolute favorite. It's a story about three country possums. "They were all named Billy because they looked so much alike that almost nobody could tell them apart. They almost couldn't tell each other apart. Inside they were different, but only their mother knew that." One day their mother decides that they are going in to town. "Won't that be exicting?" she asks her boys? "She watched her boys to see how they would act." One of the Billy possums is so excited. He can't wait to go to town and see the "wonderful, wonderful world!" The second Billy possum just wants to stay home and play with his tractor. He likes to build things and take things apart and put them back together again. The third Billy possum ran and hid in a corner because he was afraid that the people in town might have "purple feet and rings in their noses. And maybe they dance on their toes all day and maybe there was nothing to do there." Mother loads her three Billys in their old jalopy and they head off. I won't bore you with the entire story but I bet you can guess by now which Billy possum I identified with as a child. I didn't realize that until I pulled this old book off the shelf when our children were young and I read it to them. I was always the shy one. People who know me now would probably never think that, but back when I was young, boy, was I shy! I even had to go to kindergarten! Imagine that! I remember one day my mom dropped me off for school at the sidewalk that lead to our classroom. It was a cold winter day and I was very susceptible to ear infections. She had bought me a white hat that had a white braided yarn ponytail hanging off the back. Maybe some of you remember those hats? You know the ones that had the wire in the front and looked kind of like a bonnet instead of a winter hat. And then there was that hideous ponytail hanging off the back. I hated it! I didn't want to wear it! But my mommy made me! Reluctantly, I got out of the car and walked towards my class. I decided right then and there that I would just stay outside all day. I huddled up against the wall in a little alcove and put my hands over my face. I wasn't about to walk into my classroom where I just knew everyone was waiting to make fun of me in my new hat! I would just stand outside all day and blend into the scenery I thought. Well, my mom looked in her rear view mirror and saw me and she came back to rescue me! Needless to say she wasn't happy but she did let me take that hat off! My sister? She's the first Billy possum. She wants to see the wonderful, wide world...and she has! Maybe not all of it but she's been to more places in her lifetime than I probably ever will. The second Billy possum? That would be David. I guess that's why I married him. HA! HE is the missing Billy! That's what I call him sometimes...Billy! He likes to fix things and take them apart. He'd probably rather stay at home and play with tractors than go on a trip too. Well, maybe not, but he is the mechanical one of the bunch. I see a little of my kids in all three of those Billys and it just makes me laugh. I guess that's why I like that silly book so much.

And speaking of purple feet...there wasn't any one at the zoo with purple feet but I did see these...who wears this?!?

I have another story about designer brands but I'll have to save that for another day!

Today's word to the wise? Don't go to the zoo on FREE day!

Cheers!