Fun Friday: Cultural Edition

Well, I'm sure you're all wondering about my doctor's appointment yesterday. And, I'm going to tell you about it. But not today. Because I might burst into tears if I try to tell you about it today. People, it was traumatic...

On a happier note, guess what WE'RE doing for Fun Friday this week??? If you're struggling, check out the above picture. Yep, that's right! We're going to Houston tonight to see Les Miserables!!! Robert surprised us, well, it's really all for Riley, who's never seen it, and got us tickets. Riley and I are both drooling, we're so excited! I've seen it twice before, but it is my all-time favorite musical...and, that is a long, distinguished list, by the way, because I love musicals!! Another favorite is The Sound of Music. But, I regress...

So, we're leaving early enough, all dressed up in our best duds, to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Pappasito's, then head to Hobby Center for the performance. Yay!!!

My take: a little culture in cow-town is a good thing! I spent 4 years of my life in the music department at Lamar University surrounded by fantastic musicians, going to and performing in concerts and the truth is, I really miss it. So much, in fact, that I'm trying out for Sympony of Southeast Texas Chorus next week...hope I make it...

Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend. I am leaving Sunday for beautiful and COLD (yay!) Colorado Springs, Colorado with Robert for a conference, but I'm going to take my iPAD and will hopefully be able to post. Meanwhile, check out this week's recipe. It's one of my favorite desserts because it's SUPER easy and EVERYONE raves about it. It's called Dump Cake because you just dump all the ingredients in and bake. Enjoy!

Dump Cake

Ingredients:
1 can pineapple chunks
1 can cherry pie filling
yellow or white cake mix (I prefer yellow)
1 stick butter
chopped pecans, optional

Directions:
1. Dump pineapple chunks, WITH JUICE, into 9x12 baking dish, spreading over entire bottom of dish
2. Dump cherry pie filling on top of pineapple chunks
3. Dump cake mix over fruit, covering
4. Cut butter into small pats and spread over cake mix
5. Sprinkle pecan pieces, if desired
6. Bake at 350 degrees for abou 45 minutes or until browned on top and bubbly

A New Doctor: oh Happy Day

So, I'm going to the doctor today. Yep. Going to the doctor. I can hardly wait...OK, that might be a slight exaggeration...

If you have been reading my blog for very long, you know I'm having an issue with my right foot. (OK, I just have to stop here and say that when I first typed that last sentence, I typed "root fight" instead of "right foot!" Ha, the things I do before I've completed my cup of coffee!)

The truth is, my foot is extremely painful. I can barely walk. I'm trying to walk on the ball of my right foot and just not even put my heel down because of the pain. You know what I look like? I look like one of those mythical creatures whose body is too big for his goat legs, so he sways back and forth and does a little hop when he walks. Uh-huh, that would be me. And, honey, that ain't the look I'm going for...

I'm going to see a new podiatrist, one that my mom, who is 71 goes to. I mention my mom's age because she is probably younger than the average patient's age in a podatrist's waiting room. Podiatrists and retina specialists, yeah, mostly for the elderly. And, just as I have to go to a podiatrist, Riley has to go to a retina specialist yearly due to an injury he sustained a few year ago. It's a good thing we are fans of old people.

Anyway, my mom really likes this doctor and he is the son of some friends of ours, which is a big thing for Robert. He is a huge fan of "supporting friends' businesses," which usually translates into his clients. He always wants to purchase things at the stores where "so-and-so owns that store, he is the son-in-law of a cousin of a brother-in-law of a niece of a client of mine." Uh-huh. I usually don't argue because I usually don't even understand what he is saying. I'm fine with shopping at clients' establishments most of the time. It's the part where he wants to wait until "said establishment" (see long list of relatives above) has a sale. Yeah, and that may never happen. And, that's just what my husband is hoping for. Probably. Although I should tread carefully here, hence my new refrigerator and dish washer. Love you, Babe!

So back to the doctor, first of all, he looks like he's about...12. Now, we've all seen the show "Doogie Houser, MD," but really, it's a little discouraging to me when I realize that this doctor doesn't even know most of my favorite 80's music, BECAUSE HE WASN'T EVEN BORN YET!

But, my mom says he's very personable and funny and that I'll like him. Let's hope so, because I hate trying new doctors. The thing is, I am a Google enthusiast. I have Googled this foot pain probably 20 times and I have narrowed it down to about 2-3 possible diagnoses. Yes, me with no medical degree. I'm so bad that my family doctor, who has treated me for 20+ years, usually ends our appointments with "I know you're going to Google this, so let me give you the correct spelling." See? An enthusiast, I am. The thing with new doctors is how long do I have to wait to interject my thoughts from Google? What if he doesn't mention one of said 2-3 diagnoses I have come up with on my own? It's very tricky with new doctors, you see. I mean, you want to put your best foot forward and not be blacklisted on the first visit, but, seriously, who has time to play?

My take: I have to wear heels next Tuesday night in Colorado Springs at a formal event - we need to get this show on the road! The above picture is from last year's event. We clean up pretty good, right?

All Done

Before you freak out, this picture has nothing to do with the election, but rather...

I FINISHED MY WRITING PROJECT!!!!!

I am so happy, I am so happy, I am so happy!!!! Whew, that was work. Anyway, it's done, so today is my day OFF! I think I'm going to watch Hallmark Movie Channel all day and flip through holiday magazines. And maybe even listen to some Christmas music! Oh, yes, Christmas music!

I tried to warn you guys, I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!! I've already bought 2 Christmas tins, so cute with little wire handles, Christmas candy and a Santa hat with leopard fur trim where the white usually is. I showed it off to my men, here at home, and they looked at each other with their, "Here we go" look. But, I don't care. I. LOVE. CHRISTMAS. There, I do, I love it!

My take on the election: I'm sure some of you want me to comment on the election results, so here it is: first of all, I didn't watch one minute of the election stuff last night. All election results, no matter who wins or who is even running make me nuts - angry, worried, dismayed, discouraged, disturbed and all kinds of other "dis" words. Secondly, I heard this comment on the radiio this morning and I think it's super: now I know who to pray for. And, that's what I'm going to do, and I'm going to do it with as little cynicism as possible. That's all I can do. So, enough said about that. Happy Hump Day!!

And Then There Were Three

OK, real quick: it's Election Day. If you haven't voted, uh, not sure why you wouldn't have already voted, but, hey, vote today. I'm serious, finish your coffee and go vote.

Thank you for that word from our sponsor, now on to our regularly scheduled post.

I have 3, count them, 3 passages left to write. 3. And, all 20 of them are due today. But, I do have 3 left to write. 3. left. to. write.

Here's the thing about writing: sometimes it's this organic thing that just pours out, you know? It's so awesome. There are times when I think, hey, I can really do this.

Then, there are other days. And, today comes to mind when thinking about these other days, when my brain actually aches from trying so hard to think of something to say. About anything. Even now, I'm thinking. And,...nothin'.

Now, before you give me that motherly look and tell me that it's OK, I can just quit my career in writing, I have so many other talents, like running the computer at church on Sundays, I am not quitting! I'm just....so tired of writing. And since I have 3 passages left to write, I'm stressed. Because I'm so tired. Because I'm so stressed. Somebody help. Thus, the above picture.

Here's the thing: it's hard to come up with 20 passages in 21 days, do you hear me? It's brutal, man. 10 of the passages had to be non-fiction, which was actually much easier than the fiction ones have been. I mean, it takes a long time for an author to come up with 1 really good, creative story. Try 10.

I have sat at the computer most of the last week and a half. When I stand up now, I feel dizzy. My neck has what I am sure is going to be a PERMANENT crick in it from hunching over. Get the picture? I'm tired people, OK!

My take: I'd love to sit here and continue to chat, but I HAVE 3 PASSAGES LEFT TO WRITE!

Weekend, oh Blessed Weekend

This weekend was just great. No really, no sarcasm there.

On Friday night, we went to the football game...blah, blah, got cremated, blah, blah, the band was great...same song, 10th verse...or something like 10th.

Then on Saturday, Riley had a hair cut appointment, then we went to lunch together, just the two of us. It was so nice. Apparently, he really does still like me. At least sometimes. When I let him pick the restaurant and pay. Ain't parenting grand?

Then we went home for a while, relaxed, I wrote a little, then I took him to the high school to get ready for their marching contest Saturday evening. And I went to watch one of my good friend"s Angie, sons play football. Wow!

So, I think these kids are 5th and 6th graders and all I can say is, we sure could've used them on varsity this year! The game was awesome! I yelled more at their game than I did at all our varsity games put together. Anyway, the game was the semi-finals, and they won so they play in the Super Bowl (HELLO!) next weekend. Shawn, Angie's husband, who is a nut, said they were going to get Super Bowl Ring Pops if they win. Ha! Hey, I wouldn't mind a Super Bowl Ring Pop.

Then, this is the part I'm most proud of: I drove all the way to McNeese State University, in the dark, by myself, and I didn't get lost!

Something you may not know about me yet, is that I have virtually NO sense of direction. None. Na da. Truly, Riley's sense of direction has been better than mine since he was in Kindergarten. And, I have trouble with maps. Once, I was in Dallas with a friend and I read the map upside down the entire time. We never found the hotel we were looking for.

However, I got map quest diections, pulled it up on the GPS on my phone AND got directions from Angie, who is from Lake Charles, and I made it!!!! Go me, go me...

So, the marching competition was the last one for this marching season and the band did amazing! All ones again! But something funny happened this time. The band got on the field and warmed up, then walked to their starting positions. The announcer announced the band, the drum majors did their salute, and the announcer said the usual, "Drum majors, is your band ready to take the field?" That's when we noticed half of the band's pit was missing.

If you're not a band person, first of all you're missing out, but you may not know what the pit is. It's the percussion instruments and auxillary stuff that is used on the sidleines, and the players don't march. Also, the drum majors podiums are there, too. Normally, anyway, but not Saturday night.

So, Mr. B., the band director, motions to the judges and everybody just stands there waiting. All I can think about is, "God, please don't let this be anyone in the band's fault, because life as they have known it will be over." Mr. B. just walked around on the field, encouraging the kids to relax, then finally here comes the trailer down the hill with the stuff. Everybody in the stands started clapping. I'm not sure if they were clapping because they found the stuff or because after all these years, we realized that you really can load a vehicle down like the Beverly Hillbillies did and it really will drive. Of course, the fishtailing almost threw the xylophone off, but not quite.

Anyway, some bands would've been totally freaked out by this little "hiccup," as Mr. B. called it later, but not our band. Nope, they went on to give a fantastic performance and, like I mentioned, received ones in everything from all the judges!!! I am so proud!!

My take: I love weekends! I love going out to support young people, cheering them on to be the best they can be in whatever talents God has given them. They're the future you know, and, again, I say the future looks bright!

Oh, yeah! How about that extra hour of sleep? Loved that!

Fun Friday: Last Home Game of the Season Edition

Well, I still can't get the Snake Pit video to load. Dang. Murphy's Law and all that.

Oh, well, sorry. You can go to YouTube and search "Snake Pit" and you should be able to find it.

So. Tonight is the last home football game of the season. Can I get a HALLELUJAH!! No offense, but really? I'm going to see better football tomorrow night when I go see my friend's 10-year-old son's play-off game. And, I'm not kidding.

The season has just been brutal. However, it is ending, and for that I'm thankful. But, not before we are SLAUGHTERED by the 1st place team in the district. Can't I just walk barefooted over hot coals or something?

I did want to give a shout-out to one of my son's friends, Kaleb, a sophomore, who just got moved up to the varsity team for his high school. Their record isn't much better than ours and Kaleb is a great player and will help them tremendously. Go, Kaleb!

So, lots to do today, but not so much that I can't share a recipe with you. I made this recipe Tuesday night and it's so yummy! It has shrimp in it, so if you're allergic to shrimp or shellfish, this one won't be for you...and, frankly, how have you survived...but anyway, here it is! Have a great Friday - think of me in the pit of my despair tonight. It's OK, it's a shallow pit.

Shrimp Casserole

Ingredients:

1/2 C butter
1.5 C chopped onion
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1.5 lbs. uncooked shrimp
1/4 C parsley
1/4 C pimentos
1 can, cream of mushroom soup
3 C cooked rice

Directions:

1. Saute onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic in butter over medium heat for 15 minutes.
2. Add shrimp, parsley, pimento and soup. Cook for 5minutes.
3. Add cooked rice and mix thoroughly.
4. Place in a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, covered.

The Day After...

Our Halloween night was spectacular, just ask the tootsie roll.

Our fall festival was a major success! Lots of people from the neighborhood came and I think everyone had a great time.

I worked the sack race for an hour. We had some intense races. Some were scarier than others, like when our pastor raced against one of the youth...

...and, that is Riley in the background there. He felt the need to commentate the event. I hope PB can walk today...

Speaking of walking, I wanted to let you all know that I've become an invalid. Seriously, I can barely put weight on my right foot. And, you know, that's just what I need right now. I guess I'm going to have to go to the doctor. Dang...

Whoa, how did I get off on that subject? Anyway, back to the festival. I am sorry to say that I didn't win my ginger pumpkin cupcakes. But, no worries, I did eat one and yes, that were scrumptious. I ate a few pieces of candy, AND I will confess that I ate a hot dog AND frito pie. I decided, after all, it was Halloween, so what I didn't eat in candy I made up for in grease. Celebrate good times, c'mon!

On today's agenda: trying to finish my writing work while recuperating from all the fun. It was very foggy this morning when I took Riley to school...reminded me of my brain.

Hope you guys had as much fun as we did!