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!

Are You Ready to Get FESTIVE?

OK, this post is going to be short.

Not that you guys aren't ultra important to me, but I have somewhere to be 9:00. And that's already not going to happen.

Tonight is the fall festival at our church. I'm so excited! I promised I'd be there around 9:00 to help out, so...

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!

The above picture is one of my contributions to the cake walk at the festival. They are ginger pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing and a candy corn on top, and, honey, they are good! I thought I'd post them even though there is the possibility that some of you may think I need to go to a support group for pumpkin fans.

My take: Hey, I love pumpkin, what can I say? Also, whatever you're doing tonight, I hope you're doing it with family and good friends. Have a great time and be safe!

No West for the Reary

I'd like to start today's post by sayihg to all those affected by Superstorm Sandy, I am praying for you all and hope to see things restored quickly. Although I have never been through a superstorm, I have been through 2 large hurricanes, so I have some idea of what you're going through. God is with you.

Now, the above picture is not of me. I don't think it is, anyway, but it might as well be. Here's the thing: I'm still exhausted and I don't really know what to do about it.

Do you ever go through periods of your life where you just can't keep up? Please tell me you do, I'd hate to think I'm out here by myself. I honestly feel like I'm wandering through some maze and only turn down the next row when I bump into the wall.

I'm serious, I'm just wandering through life right now, running to whichever fire seems like it might be the one to burn the house down. A few weeks ago I really had a good routine going, really felt like I was getting things done most every day. Now, not so much. AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

I think it all started with the fact that I took 2 really quick trips, hours away from home. You know how trips are; when you get home, you have to catch up. The trouble is, I have so much going on NOW, I don't have time to try to catch up on the things I missed. Plus, you're tired from all the driving. So, I usually just end up lying on the couch in the fetal position singing Kum Ba Yah. And....that doesn't help much. AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

What to do, what to do? And, what's worse...THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!! Now, here's the thing, I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!! They are my absolute favorite time of the year. But, if I don't get a handle on things and get some real rest, by the time the fat man shoves himself down my chimney, I will be tucked away in some quiet little nut house. Hopefully a clean one with Direct TV. And WiFi. And a really good cook. Where do I sign up?

Another depressing thing is that it's been cold here the past 2 nights (YAY!), but it's supposed to warm up some tomorrow (BOO!), and we haven't been home in the evenings to make a fire (DANG.) Talk about kicking a girl when she's down. AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

Things aren't going to get much better this week, I can tell you that. I have my first PAYING writing assignment due on Monday and that's going to take precedence over EVERYTHING else this week. Except tomorrow, when I head down to church to help get ready for our first outreach, a Family Fall Festival (hereafter known as FFF...I'm in a hurry, OK?) AND, my stupid foot is still hurting.

My take: Maybe I can stay in pajamas on Saturday if I get all my writing done. That's definitely motivation for me!!