Thursday, December 16, 2010

Erring on the side of caution...

That's what the local school systems did Tuesday evening when they announced that schools would be closing early Wednesday in anticipation of a snow/sleet/freezing rain event.

While I applaud them for their preemptive strike, I think it was a little over the top...this time. We didn't receive much, if any, snow/sleet/freezing rain yesterday. There have been occasions over this past year that warranted the school systems closing schools early and/or closing them altogether, but not this one.

I am thankful that they did err on the side of caution because I have a teenage driver that has never driven in icy conditions. I would've worried myself sick until she and her brother made it home safely.

It ended up being a win-win situation for us. The kids had a half day of school and we all took a nap yesterday afternoon because everyone knows that a damp, dreary day makes perfect sleeping weather.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Hallelujah Flash Mob

This is really fantastic and a great way to start the holiday season!



Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

You're kidding...right?!

Just saw this on our local NWS forecast...

This Afternoon:

Rain showers likely before 3pm, then a chance of rain showers, snow showers, and sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 57. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Oh my...

Monday, November 15, 2010

Newest Security Measures

I'm not sure how I feel about the newest security measures being put into place at airports across the country.

In airports across the country, TSA is installing full-body scanners. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has been using them for the last year as a test program. However, over the course of the next few weeks, a total of 38 scanners will be put in place...much to the dismay of holiday travelers. Can you imagine traveling Thanksgiving weekend with children and having to do this? Ugh!!!

Anyway, these scanners are used to see through your clothing to make sure that you aren't trying to smuggle plastic explosives on your person onto the aircraft. Hmmm...not sure I really want a stranger to see all the intimate details of my body. TSA assures everyone that no one but the person behind the screen will view the scan and the machines don't have the capacity to save images. Still...is the TSA screening their employees for pedophiles and sex offenders?

TSA is giving travelers the option of a physical pat-down in lieu of the FBS. Hmmm...now instead of seeing through my clothes they're touching me in places no stranger should be allowed to do. Again, is the TSA screening their employees?

I understand the reasoning for all of this step-up in security, but when does it become an invasion of privacy. It has given me pause to consider whether or not I will be flying anymore.

My husband just returned from Moscow this past weekend and encountered the newest security measure put into place. He said that the biggest hassle was having to take EVERYTHING out of your pockets. There were no signs at the conveyors that scan your carry-ons that stated passengers needed to remove everything from their pockets, so it caused a back-up at the scanner. All of this adds 3-5 minutes to getting through security. While 3-5 minutes may not sound like much, multiply that by the thousands of travelers flying. Getting to the airport 2 hours before your flight will not be enough anymore. And heaven forbid if a passenger declines the FBS. The TSA agent yelled across the checkpoint for another agent to do a physical pat-down. How embarrassing!!!

I'll be watching to see what effect this new security measure has on the busiest travel weekend of the year.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veteran's Day


Please take a moment Today (and every day) to thank and say a prayer for all of our veterans. It's because of their sacrifices that we enjoy our freedoms.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Ushanka

In other words, the fur hats with ear flaps that Russians wear during the winter months. While it doesn't get nearly cold enough here in the Rocket City to wear one on a regular basis, I think these are cool hats.

I like this one:

I wonder if it'll be cold enough this winter to wear one...

Nah...I don't want to have a winter THAT cold!!!

Matryoshka

I learned this week that this is the proper name of the Russian nesting dolls.

Why do I bring this up?

Well...my Hubby is currently in Moscow for the week. He was asked to bring one home. For the most part, the Matryoshkas are attractive.

Some are not.

Case in point...

However, this is a must have for the die-hard KISS fan's collection.

We'll see which ones he comes home with.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Monday, October 18, 2010

I survived...,(edited)

by far, the busiest week of the season.

It was insanely busy!!!

Isn't he handsome!

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to have the entire band's uniforms cleaned and returned before a competition AND having our sophomore ladies try on concert dresses so that they will be here before our Christmas concert. I did have help sorting and re-hanging all of the uniforms, otherwise I'd have been there until midnight. I'm so very thankful for my volunteers.

I still haven't fitted all the young ladies. This is despite sending multiple emails stating when and where I would be for fittings. I'm turning in the order on Monday, regardless if everyone has been fitted and they'll just have to order their dress directly from the company.

The highlight of the week was our Band's performance in the Hoover Invitational Marching Band Festival. Here is our entire performance:



The Band received all Superiors and received Best In Show for Drum Majors and Percussion! It was definitely a GREAT night and well worth all the craziness leading up to it.

Two more football games and one more competition, then the 2010 Marching Season will come to an end. It's been a wonderful season and I'm so proud of all of our kids, especially my sousaphone player!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Sparkman High School Band (10/1/10)



The band has finished setting the show and it looks FANTASTIC!!! Can't wait to see it at competition in a couple of weeks.

Enjoy!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Sparkman High School Band (09-03-2010)

Our Band performing at half-time.



It's difficult to pick out my son during the show, even though he's a tuba player,so I had him sit with me and point himself out. All I can tell you is that for the last two songs, he is the tuba standing furthest out from the group on the 23rd yd line. It gives me chill bumps just watching them...they were fantastic!!!

Oh...we also won the game...38-17 over the Grissom Tigers!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Whirlwind Weekend

It has taken me this long to recover from an incredibly busy weekend...it's Wednesday! Football Friday and Party Saturday

I managed to survive my first football game as band uniform chairperson. All my gloves arrived just in time to distribute to everyone prior to marching into the stadium. I'm still waiting on the drum majors' accessories...this irritates me since I ordered them more than a month ago. I've turned that particular issue over to my band director, in hopes that he can light a fire under whomever is responsible for completing my order. With the exception of a couple of freshmen forgetting their marching shoes, there were no major catastrophes. YEA!!!

This week is my first away game...I just need to make a list of everything that needs to go on the truck.

Much to my surprise...I am not stressed out. Guess I got all that out of my system preparing for F3 day. Whew!

On top of all of the band/football stuff, my husband and I planned/held a party for his co-workers. That turned out to be a HUGE success. Everyone came and had a wonderful time. I think the last two people left at 12:15am Sunday morning. We had pulled pork sandwiches with fixings and everyone brought a side-dish to share. Of course, we had way too much food. All in all, good food and good friends made for a wonderful evening.

I'm ready to do it all again this weekend.

Who's with me?!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Week in review...

The past week has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me.

Last Monday, a couple of big things happened. It was the first day back to school for my kids. It still hasn't sunk in that this is my oldest's last year of high school. All in all, it went quite well for both of my kids. It, also, was the day I learned that the wife of my husband's co-worker (who is also a friend) is missing and hasn't been heard from since the afternoon of Friday, August 6th. This distresses me very much. While I don't know all of the details (and I don't really want to), I am struggling to understand how one could leave and not say anything to anyone. Her husband and three boys (all of whom are grown and out of the house) are beside themselves with worry. All they want is just to know that she's okay.

Tuesday...my Dad traveled to Mesa to have another colonoscopy done. Nothing unusual in this except that this one was done at the 3 year mark instead of the 5 year mark. Apparently, a test of a polyp came back abnormal. Everything was okay this time, but I still worry. See...my dad had colon cancer in 1984 and, at the time, was given less than 5 years. He beat that by a long shot!!!

That same evening, Hubby and I went to a tasting for Maker's Mark 46. It wasn't what we expected it to be. I suppose we're spoiled since we were able to take part in the purchase of a single-barrel of JD. But...hey, who can say no to free food and beverages, right?!

For the most part, the rest of the week went smoothly. The kids finished their first week. Yay!!! Still no word on my missing friend.

Spoke to my parents, again on Friday evening. My dad let it slip that they were going back to Mesa on Monday (8/16) for a CT and PET scan because his doctor saw something in his bloodwork that she didn't like. Mom wasn't going to say anything until they got the results back because she didn't want to worry me. I'm glad that I know ahead of time, but it still doesn't make me worry any less. They probably won't have any results until mid-late week.

Saturday was family-time. Just the four of us...which hasn't happened since our beach trip in June. We had a great day...took the girl to order her cap/gown, had mexican for lunch, upgraded a game reserve for the boy, took a much-needed nap and spent the evening watching movies.

A very nice end to a rather crazy week.

Monday, August 9, 2010

First of one of the last


Today, my kids went back to school.

It's the first day of my daughter's last year of high school. I'm not sure what to think of it. On the one hand, I'm super excited for her. Then again, I'm really sad because it means I only have a few more months with her before she's off on her own.

My son is a sophomore and is going to have a great year. He's in the band at the main campus. Yay!!!

My how time flies...

Monday, August 2, 2010

Can we say HOT?!?!

Tonight

Mostly Clear
Mostly
Clear
Lo 78 °F
Tuesday

Isolated Thunderstorms Chance for Measurable Precipitation 10%
Isolated
Tstms
Hi 99 °F
Tuesday
Night

Mostly Clear
Mostly
Clear
Lo 78 °F
Wednesday

Isolated Thunderstorms Chance for Measurable Precipitation 10%
Isolated
Tstms
Hi 100 °F
Wednesday
Night

Mostly Clear
Mostly
Clear
Lo 78 °F
Thursday

Isolated Thunderstorms Chance for Measurable Precipitation 20%
Isolated
Tstms
Hi 97 °F
Thursday
Night

Chance Thunderstorms Chance for Measurable Precipitation 30%
Chance
Tstms
Lo 77 °F
Friday

Chance Thunderstorms Chance for Measurable Precipitation 40%
Chance
Tstms
Hi 94 °F
Friday
Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms Chance for Measurable Precipitation 20%
Slight Chc
Tstms
Lo 74 °F

This is getting ridiculous!!! I'm just thankful that Band Camp ended last Friday, so that the kids are not marching during the heat of the day. That's not to say it won't be hot during this week's practices, but they are in the late afternoon/early evening.

I'm so ready for fall-like temperatures!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

And there she goes...

My girl and her 'new' car.

*sigh*

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Peaceful

My beautiful girl...
photo courtesy of Kristen Gerling

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Band, band and more band...

This will be my life from now until...

Well, until my son graduates from high school.

Don't get me wrong, I love volunteering for something that benefits the kids. I have taken on the band uniform chairperson position at my children's high school. The band has 200+ band members. Yes, I said TWO HUNDRED+ band members. That means there are 600+ uniform pieces (coats/pants/shakos) to keep track of. Thankfully, my predecessor did a fantastic job keeping track of everything.

Though, it's still going to be lots of work between now and the first game because the boosters decided to change the way the uniforms are inventoried. Thank goodness that I enjoy organizing stuff because I have A LOT of it to organize and iron. Once I get my system in place, things should run smoothly. It's just getting my system in place that's going to take some time. :)

So if I don't post as often as I usually do, you'll know why...I'm up to my ears in band uniform stuff.

Monday, June 7, 2010

New Recipes

I added some new recipes to my cooking blog...check them out here.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Happy Birthday, Scottman!!!



15 years ago at 1:27am, Richard and I welcomed a beautiful 9 pound 1 ounce little boy into the world. He's blessed us in more ways than I can count. Happy Birthday, Scottman!!! I love you more than words can say!!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

We're Not Gonna Take It!

This is so appropriate for the end of the school year.



Enjoy!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Prom!

Prom day has finally arrived. My daughter was on this year's prom committee and had a great time working on everything. I'm sure that all of the committee's hard work will have paid off tonight.

Getting ready...my daughter had a friend come to help her with her hair and makeup.


Don't they look wonderful!




I hope that they have a wonderful time tonight.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Busy, busy, busy

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while, but it's been crazy busy around here.

Hoping to post some prom pictures this weekend. Everything is ready...thank goodness, as prom is Saturday.

Monday, April 19, 2010

More Dress Pictures




It's Finished!

I finished my very first formal dress. Last fall, my daughter asked me if I would make her prom dress. I was very hesitant because I'd never worked with taffeta nor had I made a formal dress. Then my competive streak kicked in and the project was started. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out, especially since I found the fabric for less than $30 in Tennessee. Yay!
This picture shows the true color of the fabric.
Prom isn't for a few more weeks, but I promise to post pictures of my daughter in this dress.

Now, I can relax!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Enough already!

Dear local weather 'gurus',

It's officially Spring now, please stop forecasting rain/snow showers. Regular 'ole rain will do.

'Kay, thanks!

Friday, March 12, 2010

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Back in January, I mentioned in a post that our neighbor's boys were playing out on the frozen neighborhood 'lake'. It was not thick enough for them to be out on it, so they earned the 'Darwin Award' for the week.

Well, this morning we had severe thunderstorms complete with marble-size hail roll through about 5:45am. Guess what?!? The 'Darwin Award' winners' mother was out RUNNING in it. Can we say STUPID?! Not only was it hailing, but it was also lightning like crazy.

Natural selection at work is all I can say!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Weekend

It's finally Friday after a VERY long week.

It's supposed to be a gorgeous late winter/early spring weekend.

This is my agenda for the weekend:

*Open all the windows to air out the house (then dust mop all the pollen up, LOL)
*Finish painting the living room
*Get outside and enjoy the weather, maybe clean out a few flowerbeds
*Grill burgers...the boy has been asking for some grilled burgers
*Hmmm...and whatever else I can come up with

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. If the weather is nice where you are, get out and enjoy it!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

I can relate

This is how I felt being up on a ladder painting a wall with a 13' ceiling.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

I don't know why...

but I thought this was funny.
Or go here for a larger, easier to read version.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Spring is coming

Yesterday, I saw a bluebird pair scouting out our bluebird houses.

Hopefully soon, I'll be hearing the crawdads as they emerge from their winter hiding places.

Yay!!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Wishing

Wishing I could turn back the clock and do some things differently.
These last several months have been very stressful for me. For several reasons, I cannot be specific.

Suffice it to say that the end of the current school year can't get here fast enough.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

It's the simple things that make me happy!

Y'all,

I have a new washer/dryer set.

The previous set (GE/Hotpoint) was 19 years old. They had always been reliable up until a few months ago. Thankfully, I had been doing research on what I wanted to replace them with because Hubby and I had been nursing the dryer on for a couple of months, then the washing machine just QUIT! Guess all those years of doing laundry wore them out.

I'm so thrilled with my new set. It's sooooo very quiet and efficient. No more running the dryer twice just to make sure the clothes are dry. No more stinky washer in the summer time because I forgot to leave the lid open so it could air out. It will be interesting to see what kind of changes occur in our utility and water bills.

Laundry is a lot more fun with my new set!

It's happened again...

for the 2nd Friday in a row, my city has been in the news for a senseless shooting. This time it took place at my alma mater, The University of Alabama - Huntsville.

Dr. Amy Bishop, assistant professor in the Biology department at The University of Alabama - Huntsville, shot 6 of her co-workers in a faculty meeting. Three were killed - Dr. Gopi Podila, Dr. Maria Ragland Davis and Dr. Adriel Johnson. Dr. Joseph Leahy, Stephanie Monticciolo and Dr. Luis Rogelio were wounded in the attack. Dr. Leahy and Ms. Monticciolo are in critical condition and Dr. Rogelio was in stable condition (as of 8am CST Saturday). All of them are being treated at a local hospital. Their families are in my prayers. I cannot begin to imagine how heartbroken they are.

Since yesterday afternoon, there has been a constant stream of information being put forth about Dr. Bishop. Here's what I've learned - She is married to UAH geneticist/researcher, James Anderson. Together, they have 4 children. The news reports state that her tenure had been denied months ago and that this upcoming semester would be her last at UA-Huntsville. In today's local paper, it's reported that she accidentally shot and killed her brother in December 1986 while cleaning a shotgun and she was released to her mother by the police chief. She was 20 years old at the time. The records from that arrest disappeared in 1987. Sounds kinda fishy, I'm just saying...

There are a lot of unanswered questions and in the days/weeks/months to come I'm sure that we'll be learning more than we ever wanted to know about Dr. Amy Bishop.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Senseless Tragedy

Yesterday afternoon there was a shooting a neighborhood middle school. I'm still trying to come to terms with how it's possible that a child has access to a weapon and a loaded one at that. I believe that it's law (at least where I live) that guns and ammunition must be stored separately in locked storage devices. This may be very naive on my part, but it seems like common sense NOT to store them together.

It is my opinion that in today's society, adults (parents/school administration) are not stepping up to the plate when it comes to disciplining their children. Ultimately, parents are responsible for making sure that their children show respect and obey the authority of other adults when not at home. I have witnessed it first hand where a child gets in trouble at school and tells the assistant principal that he/she doesn't have to listen to the AP because they are not their mom/dad. Excuse me!?! Growing up if I spoke to another adult like that I knew that not only was I in trouble at school, but I was DEFINITELY in trouble at home. Most children, today, do not have that fear of repercussions (my two do because I've told them so). The only way we're going to solve this problem is for parents and school personnel to work together when it comes to disciplining children. To let them know that there are other ways to work out their differences that don't involve violence and possibly taking another's life.

I am praying for the shooting victim's family and classmates. Prayers are also being offered to the shooter and his family. I can't begin to imagine the pain/sorrow/guilt they must be experiencing.

It's a very sad situation.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Pluto is changing color...

according to NASA and pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The pictures of Pluto were taken in 2002.

I think this is so cool! Though, it is kind of sad that Pluto was demoted from our 9th planet to a "dwarf planet" in 2006. I suppose I just don't understand NASA's definition of what constitutes a planet.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Ugh!

You know...if it's gonna be this icky, we should at least get some decent snow!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Out with a bang...

January is going out just like it came in with snow and ice, but not quite the bitter cold.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Wow!

This is what spun up out of nowhere during Thursday afternoon rush hour. My daughter and I were sitting in the dentist's office when the storm first developed over Madison. At the time, it was producing very heavy rain and some penny-size hail. As the storm moved toward Huntsville proper, it became much stronger. The local television stations were so thrilled to have caught the storm/tornado on their camera network that they spent the better part of an hour Thursday evening talking about it. Although it did uproot a lot of very large trees and damage property, no one was seriously injured. A couple of teens were scared out of their wits when their truck was literally blown off the road and into a house by the tornado. I heard on Friday that the NWS believed it was an EF2 tornado. Scary!!!


I think all of us here were quiet surprised that we could have a tornado spin up in January, especially after we'd just spent the first 10 days of the month sub-freezing.

Kudos to whomever snapped this photo!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Mmmmm...Birthday Cupcakes!!!


Not just any birthday cupcakes, either.


Gigi's Cupcakes!!!



I had heard from several friends that Gigi's Cupcakes are to die for. It doesn't matter which one you try, they are all good according to my friends. In honor of my daughter's upcoming 17th birthday, I thought we'd try one...or two...or three. My daughter chose "Apple Spice & Everything Nice," my son chose "Lemon Dream Supreme," and Hubby & I chose "Midnight Magic" (which was a triple chocolate creation). Yummmm!!! Consensus was unanimous - Gigi's Cupcakes are To Die For. May have to go back for either a Bailey's Irish Cream and/or Scarlett's Red Velvet.

Happy 17th birthday to my sweet daughter!!!

Friday, January 8, 2010

January Snow

Brrr...

I think we may have gotten half an inch on the grassy areas. Definitely not the 1-3 inches the local weather gurus were calling for.

Our frozen lake...

Pretty, but not thick enough to walk on. Though, don't tell our neighbor's boys that because they won't listen.

Can anyone say "Darwin Awards?"

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I didn't sign up for this...

extremely cold weather, that is.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that Northern Alabama could be this cold. As a friend pointed out yesterday, Denver was warmer than we were. Ugh! I'm just thankful that we don't live in the upper Midwest because it has been FRIGID up there. Brrrrrr...

I suppose that we're due for this nasty cold as it's been 14 years since we've had a decent snow. In February 1996, we received eight inches of snow on top of 1/2" ice and were stuck at home for eight days. The local weather gurus are predicting anywhere from a dusting up to 3 inches of the white stuff. If it continues to stay this cold and we do get snow, it's gonna be around for several days.

So, here's to a decent snow and some hot chocolate. Now, where's my peppermint schnapps?!