Adios

Twitter Tuesday

So long to the following things today: church newsletter (to be mailed Thursday when the Post Office is open), Christmas decorations, 2013.

Dear worst cold I've ever had

Dear snotty nose,
How can so much snot keep coming out of one nose?? Will you please finish it up so I can have control over my nose again?

Dear stuffy nose,
How can a nose that seems to be so full of junk be so full of nothing when I blow? Why must you tease me so?!

Dear annoying cough,
Your presence is not requested. Please pack your bags and GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE.

Dear senses of taste and smell,
I missed you for almost a week. So glad you decided to come back today!

Dear Neti pot,
You've been very helpful these past several days. Keep up the good work.

'Twas the day after Christmas

3 Thoughts Thursday

1. There are new toys everywhere.
I love watching Emma play with and enjoy her new things.

2. Norbert has an upset tummy.
Santa brought him some treats yesterday - plus he got to go to Mamaw and Papaw's house (where treats abound) - and he overdid it. So we have a little puny puppy today. It's pretty much the saddest thing you've ever seen.

3. I'm siiiiiiiiiick.
It's either a sinus infection or a cold - or maybe a combination of both. Regardless of what it is, I've got stuff to do. Neti Pot, do your thing. And if you see me, keep your distance. I don't want to infect you.

Merry Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve sickness

Twitter Tuesday

Yeah, so I think I'm coming down with something. I don't want to be sick on Christmas!! #toughingitout

Dear Christmas impatience

Dear Santa tracker,
Emma is LOVING counting down until Santa officially leaves the North Pole. But how do we keep her from giving us constant, down-to-the-millisecond updates on Santa's estimated time of departure?

Dear gift wrapping,
How do I finish you when there is a certain someone on Christmas vacation who is always at the house and always aware of every single thing going on?

Dear gift concealment,
Mamaw's house was a great hiding place until someone had the brilliant idea to go ahead and head over there on Saturday and do some secret wrapping. Now the problem is finding a place that the aforementioned "certain someone" won't happen upon during the next few days. Can't count on any location; because as soon as one is chosen that she NEVER goes to, that will be the one place in which she just has to go rooting around for some random reason or another. Thank goodness for the handy-dandy short person divider in my car's trunk. In a completely unrelated note, please do not open my trunk and put down the divider in the presence of my child. Thankyouverymuch.

Dear en route packages,
I hope you all come today so I can finish wrapping the gifts for which I don't have to be a ninja. I just want to be mostly done.

Dear time,
I know better than to wish you away; but can you just hurry up a little bit so Christmas can just BE HERE already?! I am NOT good waiting to give people the gifts I've picked especially for them.

Weather stuff

3 Thoughts Thursday

1. "Don't like the weather in Indiana? Just wait a few minutes, and it will change."

Seriously. This week it's already snowed, sleeted, and rained. Plus it's been in the teens, 20s, and 30s. Supposedly it'll be almost 50 by Friday.

2. I enjoy fall weather the most.

I love being able to go outside in a sweater/fleece and jeans and be comfortable.

3. I love a nice scarf.

They go with pretty much anything and are super fun. My fave is a black infinity scarf with small white polka dots. It's fab, and I love it. Plus it goes with pretty much everything.

Apostrophes

Wordy Wednesday

I am appalled at the use of apostrophes these days. People just add them, willy nilly, to everything, it seems.

You see this crime committed ALL THE TIME on Christmas cards.

What am I talking about, you ask? Allow me to demonstrate.

INCORRECT:
Merry Christmas from the Heacock's

CORRECT:
Merry Christmas from the Heacocks

Why is the first one incorrect? "Heacock's" is in the possessive form, and it isn't even complete.

The card is from all of us (i.e. plural = more than one Heacock), which is why there should be no apostrophe.

The best way to avoid having to deal with this would be to say "Merry Christmas from the Heacock family." It's so simple.

Just say no to extra apostrophes.

Fleece is not enough

Twitter Tuesday

Today was not a good day to only wear a fleece as a coat. What was I thinking? #notthinking #iamfrozen

Dear Christmas party

Dear house preparation,
Having this party at our house was a great motivator: we got three rooms painted (finally), we got to rearrange some furniture, and I'm pretty sure our house has never been this clean.

Dear host gifts,
I now have a fridge full of half-full bottles of wine; and there are five unopened bottles of wine on our never-before-utilized wine rack. Merry Christmas to me!

Dear surprise Santa visit,
The looks on those little kids' faces when Santa came in and had gifts for each of them... well, it was just priceless. And the faces on the teenagers when they had to got to sit on Santa's lap... well, those were equally priceless.

Dear leftover veggies,
How many different meals can you make out of leftover chopped celery, cauliflower, broccoli, and baby carrots? Well, we're going to see.

Dear leftover chicken salad and ham salad sandwiches,
I've had you twice already since Saturday. It's delicious, but I'm not sure how much more I can take.

Christmas movies

3 THOUGHTS THURSDAY

My top 3 Christmas movies
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. Elf
3. Christmas Vacation

Emma's top 3 5 Christmas movies
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (cartoon)
2. Mickey's Christmas Carol
3. A Christmas Carol (the 2009 one with Jim Carrey)
4. Elf
5. Barbie in A Christmas Carol

Big Daddy's top 3 Christmas movies
1. A Christmas Story
2. Christmas Vacation
3. A Christmas Carol (with Jim Carrey)

*Pause*

WORDY WEDNESDAY has been put on hold for this week because 1) Emma and I are going to downtown Indy tonight to see the Yuletide Celebration at Hilbert Circle Theatre, and 2) I didn't get any requests for a topic about which people wanted to learn.

Seriously, let me know if you have something you'd like me to cover on Wordy Wednesday: be it a grammar lesson, a word or phrase you like, etc. Please give me something so I can flex my wordy nerdiness!

Have a great night!

Stay warm, my friends.

Two-hour delays

TWITTER TUESDAY

I'm over all these 2-hour delays. I like my "normal" routine, and the delays throw me right off. Do I sound old, or what? #crotchetyoldlady

Dear Decorating

Dear mantel,
I went a different direction this year with you, opting for a cleaner, simpler, classier look. You are my new favorite.

Dear snow family,
When I saw you at TJ Maxx, I knew you were meant for me. You are just like our family (except in our family, mom is definitely not taller than dad... LOL!). You are perfect for us.

Dear red and gold ball ornament,
You are my absolute favorite. You always have been. My grandparents used to have a lot of you on their Christmas tree at the farm. Many of your brethren were faded and worn, after many years of faithful service. They gave me you, and I have taken very good care of you ever since. I always wrap you in a paper towel and place you gently in the ornament bin. You are very precious to me, which means you are always placed in a prominent, front-of-tree location.

Dear Santa Homer,
You are one of Big Daddy's favorites. You make me smile.

Dear Emma's first Santa photo ornament,
This photo was taken the first time Emma met Santa. It was taken at the Greenwood Park Mall when Emma 11 months old. I love the way Emma and Santa are sizing each other up.

Dear Santa cross stitch ornament,
My mom was one of my Brownie troop leaders a long, long time ago; and one year they decided all the girls were going to make cross stitch Christmas ornaments. I already knew how to cross stitch, so making my ornament went smoothly. The same could not be said for the other Brownies. But I love the way you turned out and the way you bring a smile to my face every time I see you on my tree.

Dear Mike and Sully,
We had Mike already. Sully is new this year. It was Emma's brilliant idea to put you right next to each other on the tree, which is how you will henceforth be placed every year.

Dear wooden Santas,
My grandpa used to carve a new version of you every year. These are the Santas that I have. They are such a precious group. I keep three separate from the rest: 1) because they are my favorites, and 2) because they don't fit on top of the microwave.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

3 THOUGHTS THURSDAY

1. "Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya."

2. "Shh! I'm listening to reason."

3. "I know you are, but what am I?"

Text speak

WORDY WEDNESDAY

I can't even force myself to shorten or abbreviate words in a text message. I can hardly read a text when it is written in text speak. It may will make me sound old, but I don't get it. Nor do I want to have to decipher a text message or a Facebook post that uses it.

Drives me banana sandwich.

If you ever get a text from me, most likely it will be written in full sentences with proper grammar. Because that's how I roll.

My back hurts.

TWITTER TUESDAY

Not sure why or how. Tried to hold the phone between my ear and shoulder at work yesterday and about died. So. Much. Pain. #curseyouback

Dear Thanksgiving

Dear turkey,
I love your delicious light side. Of course I ate too much of you. And have way too much of you leftover in my fridge.

Dear stuffing,
I prefer you to your fraternal twin, which is known as dressing. I'm not exactly sure what is the difference between you, but I just know you're my favorite. The closer you are to Stove Top, the better.

Dear mashed potatoes and corn,
I normally don't like my food to touch on my plate, but I enjoy mixing you two together. You make a great pair!

Dear sweet potatoes,
I used to dislike you greatly, but I gave you another shot this year. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed you! (Thanks for preparing them so well, Mom! I loved them!)

Dear yeast rolls,
I could eat a hundred of you. I think I came close the other day. I know I had 5 or 6 of you as leftovers for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving. I'm not ashamed. They were delish.

3 Thanksgiving Thoughts

1. I prefer the drier white meat of the turkey over the dark meat.
And I eat it without gravy. Because I'm crazy like that.

2. My favorite Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade moment of all time:


3. I like green beans. I like casseroles. But I do NOT like green bean casserole.
In fact, I hate it. There, I said it.

Adverbs

WORDY WEDNESDAY

Adverbs are used to modify verbs (action words). Adverbs usually tell you when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is performed.

Most adverbs end in -ly, particularly those that are used to express how an action is performed. Although many adverbs end in -ly, some do not (like fast, never, well, very, most, least, more, less, now, far, and there).

Types of adverbs:

• Adverbs of Time (when)
• Adverbs of Place (where)
• Adverbs of Manner (how)
• Adverbs of Degree (in what manner or to what extent)

Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs.
Examples:
1. He boxed more cleverly than his opponent. (more modifies cleverly, which modifies the verb)
2. She wore a beautifully designed dress. (beautifully modifies the adjective designed)

Or just let Schoolhouse Rock! tell you about adverbs:

Candy Crush

TWITTER TUESDAY

I am so frustrated with Candy Crush Saga. I've been stuck on level 350 for entirely too long. #overit

Dear Patriots

Dear Patriots,
I find you irritating. You make me angry, and I can't stand you.

Dear Tom Brady and Bill Belichick,
If I have to hear another commentator sing your praises (I'm looking at you, Cris Collinsworth), I think I may scream.

Dear Broncos/Patriots game,
You successfully conned me into watching your end. Not only did I end up heartbroken and wanting to vomit at your outcome, but I also wasted time I could have spent binge watching some more of The Good Wife. (I'm in season 3 now, but I also watch the latest episodes on my DVR. Just trying to get all the back stories.) Thanks a lot.

Dear Julian Edelman,
I had you on my fantasy team all season, and you did DIDDLY SQUAT after week 1. So I finally decided to get rid of you on Nov. 13. And then you rack up 23 fantasy points in last night's game. Shame on you.

At least I can count on Jimmy Fallon to make me laugh about the whole debacle.

I like rice cakes

FREESTYLE FRIDAY

I like to have rice cakes as a snack. Big Daddy says they taste like cardboard. My favorites are the butter popcorn flavored ones. I could eat an entire bag of them in one sitting.

Do you have any snack favorites that other people think are strange?

My Current Top 3s

3 THOUGHTS THURSDAY

Fave TV shows
1. The Good Wife (I've been binge watching it for days now, getting all caught up from the very beginning.)
2. New Girl
3. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Fave songs
1. Royals by Lorde (Seriously, I can't get enough of this song.)
2. Roar by Katy Perry
3. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Fave cartoons
1. Adventure Time
2. SpongeBob SquarePants
3. Regular Show

Fave web sites on which I waste too much time
1. Facebook
2. Pinterest
3. Twitter

Stuff I'm over
1. Miley Cyrus
2. Twerking
3. This stupid head cold I have

Who vs. Whom (and Its vs. It's)

WORDY WEDNESDAY

OK, folks. Here they are. As requested.

Who vs. Whom
Who is the subject of a verb, and whom is the object of a verb. (Subject = the person or thing doing the action; object = the person or thing having the action done to it.)

The easiest way to figure out whether to use who or whom is by plugging he/him into the sentence. If he works, then you use who; if him works, then you use whom.

Its vs It's
Rule 1: When you mean the word as a possessive, don't use the apostrophe. (its)
The dog hurt its paw.

Rule 2: When you mean it is or it has, use an apostrophe. (it's)
It's going to be a lovely day.
It's been nice getting to know you.

Vegetarian nachos

TWITTER TUESDAY

I heart #Qdoba. Drove all the way to downtown Bloomington by myself so I could eat there. So yummy.

Dear Illness

Dear ears,
I wish I could hear out of you. Please stop being clogged up.

Dear nose,
Why have you decided to join this illness party? Why have you decided to start running and then being stopped up five minutes later?

Freestyle Friday: I don't do the Elf

I don't do Elf on the Shelf. There, I said it.

I see the millions of Elf on the Shelf idea pins on Pinterest, and it makes me shudder.

Why? Let me break it down for you.

1. The elf is creepy looking.
2. It's yet another thing I'd have to remember to do.
3. Emma already knows Santa and I are pals and are frequently in communication, so why do we need an "elf spy" at the house to report back to Santa?
4. The elf creeps me out.
5. Call me lazy, but I just don't want to.

If your house participates in the Elf on the Shelf tradition, more power to you. We're going to refrain from it at our house. To each his own.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Little-known facts

There's this game going around on Facebook where people are given a number and are supposed to tell that many little-known facts about themselves. Since today is 3 Thoughts Thursday, I gave myself the number 3 and will play along; after which I henceforth absolve myself from further participation in said game.

1. I almost died in a car accident when I was 16. And a few months later, I was in another car accident at the same intersection (walked away unscathed that time).

2. I love office supplies and could spend hours looking around in an office supply store.

3. The spelling of my name, J-A-I-M-E, came from Jaime Sommers, the Bionic Woman. My name also means "I love" in French (j'aime).

Wordy Wednesday: Their/There/They're

I'm realistic enough not to assume that people know this (even though they should, but I digress); so I'm just going to throw it out there and hope it sticks.

their = belonging to them

there = a place

they're = they are

Which of the following sentences is correct?
1. There going to they're cabin located in the woods over their.
2. They're going to their cabin located in the woods over there.

If your guess was #2, you're right. (I spy a future Wordy Wednesday topic in that sentence...Do you?)

But I bet you see sentences like #1 more often than not. I do, and they make my brain hurt.

I'd like to end with a shout out to my friend Johnny Hotsauce, who gave me the idea for Wordy Wednesday. You'll always be a state spelling chimp to me, my friend.

Twitter Tuesday: Norbert's birthday

Happy birthday, Norbert! You have been a wonderful part of our family for 11 years now. Love you, dog-face!

Dear Veterans

Dear Veterans (including my dad),
Thank you for your selfless service! So thankful for and proud of you.

Freestyle Friday: I heart grammar

No, it's not Wordy Wednesday; but I'm going to give you a grammar lesson today.

Emma had her spelling and spelling sentences tests today. She started one of her sentences like this: "When me and mom go to the store..." Her teacher didn't count off for it, but she just wrote "mom and I" in parentheses above that phrase.

I asked Emma if she knew the rules for that kind of phrase. She didn't. (Which is probably why she didn't get counted off for it.)

Do you?

Here's how I explained it to Emma.

1) When you are listing people, including yourself, you (i.e. "I" or "me") are listed last.
2) To decide whether to use "I" or "me," take the other person/people out of the list as if the sentence were just about you and see which one reads correctly. "When me go to the store..." Wrong. "When I go to the store..." Right.

Easy peasy.

And that, my friends, is your grammar lesson for the day.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Please do nots

1. Please do not live post the results of an entertainment awards show on Facebook (or Twitter or whatever).
If I wanted to know the results, I would A) watch the show, B) look up the results on the show's website, or C) DVR the show to watch it later, and thus you would be ruining the whole thing for me. Most likely, though, I don't really care. So stop it.

2. Please do not wear leggings as pants.
Just don't. If they were meant to be worn as pants, they'd be called pants.

3. Please do not make short lists with inane demands that no one really cares about.
Oh, wait...

Wordy Wednesday: Palindrome

A palindrome is a word or phrase that reads the same forward and backward.

One of the longest palindromic words is aibohphobia, which means a fear of palindromes. Ironically, the word is a palindrome itself. Apparently even nerdy word people have a sense of humor (albeit quirky).

How many palindromes can you think of?

UPDATE: The full-size Twix was eaten today. By me. As promised. I am a woman of my word.

Twitter Tuesday: Rainbow Loom

I'm officially addicted to @RainbowLoom. Just started a week ago, & I've already been asked to make bracelets for Emma's class. #hmmmOK

For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about.

Dear Halloween candy

Dear Tootsie Rolls,
You are Emma's favorite candy. So I will not pilfer you from her candy stash.

Dear Reese's Cups,
You are in danger of being eaten quickly. By any one of the 3 of us in this house.

Dear Lemon Heads,
You disgust me. You'll probably still be in the candy jar this time next year.

Dear Twix,
I would love you more if you were of the peanut butter variety, but that kind is almost impossible to find. I still love your brother, caramel.

What is this Twix java?? Where can I get one of those?!?!

Dear Kit Kat,
I know there is a full sized version of you in the candy jar. I know where you are. If you are still there two days from now, you will be mine.

Dear Smarties,
I have always loved you. I'll probably be hiding several of you in my purse so I can find you from time to time. What a lovely "surprise."

Freestyle Friday: Fall colors

I. Love. Fall.

I love looking at the beautiful colors of all the trees. My favorites are the really vibrant ones, especially the bright red and bright yellow.

It seems like the big, weird storm yesterday/last night brought with it all the beautiful fall colors. I couldn't help but take some photos on my way home today.

And this next one is the view on my way up the hill into my neighborhood. Isn't it beautiful??

3 Thoughts Thursday: Halloween

1. Rainy Halloweens are yucky.
I, for one, am not interested in trick-or-treating in the rain. Nor am I interested in getting in and out of a vehicle in the rain with my child so she can go trick-or-treating. Luckily our town's T-O-T'ing got postponed until tomorrow due to the rainy weather and high winds.

2. Wearing a Halloween costume all day as an adult is not for everyone.
I do it because it's fun; but I don't look down on other adult people if they don't wear a costume. I mean, I'm probably shorter, so I can't look down on them. But still.

3. Fun fact: Every time I write "Halloween" I sing a song that reminds me how to spell it.
Sometimes I even sing it out loud, but usually I just think it. The song was a topic of discussion amongst some of my Facebook friends this morning. We learned it at Smith Elementary School back in the day. Here's how it goes:

H, A, double L, O

W, double E, N spells Halloween

Wordy Wednesday

Word of the day: phlegm.

It's my favorite word. Why? Because it's so fun. Obviously. It's fun to say. It's fun to spell.

Twitter Tuesday

Time to start getting all the craft stuff ready for Emma's Halloween party on Thursday. Or maybe I'll do it tomorrow. #procrastinatorsunite

Dear Weekend: Cramming it all in

Dear Friday,
Sorry I didn't get around to posting a blog today. I was super duper busy getting ready for the weekend.

Dear Worn Out Women retreat,
What a fun time! A bunch of women from church rode on a big church bus (i.e. old school bus) an hour away and got to spend a night at a gorgeous camp near Bloomington. Most people slept (or not) in the main building - which was a GORGEOUS log cabin, complete with many taxidermied animals on the walls - but MIL, my two aunts-in-law, and I slept in this tiny cabin across the lawn from the. Let's just say that I shared a twin bed with one of my aunts-in-law (we slept head to toe, like Charlie Bucket's grandparents in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), and MIL shared a futon with my other aunt-in-law. We were served delicious food and heard from a wonderful speaker. Lots of laughs and tears and fellowship.

Dear Evansville surprise for MIL,
It worked! MIL's birthday was last Monday. We celebrated that day, but the REAL celebration was this weekend. Only MIL didn't know that. She and FIL were going to Evansville to see a band called The Devonshires on Saturday night. Little did she know that Big Daddy, my sis- and bro-in-law, and I were going to be there to celebrate with her (it was FIL's idea). After a lot of behind-the-scenes planning, lying creative storytelling, and secret-keeping over the past few weeks, the four of us rode down together to Evansville on Saturday afternoon and got all set up at a table with a great view of where the band would be performing. When MIL and FIL arrived, we started singing "Happy Birthday" at the top of our lungs so MIL would hear us. She finally spotted us, and was totally floored that we were there. We had a great time at the show, celebrating and partying. Score a big W for us!

Dear sleep,
I miss you.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Random randomness

1. Heated car seats are wonderful when you have a tendency to have a cold posterior.
My nose is cold, my hands are cold, my feet are cold, my tush is cold. So having the option of making the driver's seat warm up beneath me is glorious. Even if it makes me feel as if I've peed my pants when the seat gets all warm.

2. I call the smell left on my clothes after eating at Subway the "Subway stink."
The food is delicious. (I had the Tuscan Chicken sub on Italian herb and cheese bread today. OMG. Yum!) But the stink that stays on your clothes for hours and hours is terrible.

3. Whose Line is it Anyway? was the funniest show ever.
Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie were my favorites. Click here to see a clip of a few of the best of Ryan and Colin moments. This is one of my favorite Whose Line sketches of all time. And here are some Whose Line bloopers. You're welcome.

Wednesday: Where am I? I need help.

I am trying to come up with a new theme for Wednesdays. This one is old and tired. Anyone have an idea of something they'd like me to talk about on Wednesdays? I tend to go for alliteration (Twitter Tuesday, Three Thoughts Thursday, etc.), but I'm up for anything.

Whatcha got?

Twitter Tuesday: 1st world problem

Having to go for just over a day without TV or internet is torturous.

Dear Indianapolis Colts

Dear Andrew Luck,
I'm so proud of you! You proved to the world that you know a thing or two about how to be a great quarterback last night; and you showed us how to be a classy winner. It was all about the team's win, not just yours. Keep up the good work! Stay classy, Andrew.

Dear Pat McAfee,
That take-down of Holliday was incredible! You shouldn't have had to tackle him, but I'm sure glad I got to witness it! Way to go, killer!

Dear Robert Mathis,
I'm sure you're getting this question from everyone, everywhere... but I'm going to ask it anyway. How did it feel to sack Peyton Manning? Dream come true, or just another day at work? Either way, well done, sir! I never thought I'd want to see him get sacked... But I sure smiled when you did it. :)

Dear Reggie Wayne,
I bet you could hear the collective gasp of the entire city of Indianapolis when you went down on the turf last night with that injury. From what I know of you and your work ethic, you'll want to be back out there ASAP. Please don't push yourself too hard. Take a little time and make sure you're healed. We need you, buddy, and we want you healthy.

Dear Samson Satele,
Bullying is a serious problem these days. Millions of people saw Kevin Vickerson being a big bully to you on the field at Lucas Oil last night. I'm pretty sure he'll get a hefty fine for that (well, he should). What I appreciated most was that you didn't retaliate. I pray your injury isn't too bad and that you can get back on the field quickly.

Dear Vontae Davis,
Thank you for so masterfully containing Demaryius Thomas in last night's game! The fantasy team I was against this week had Thomas. You kept him from racking up a bunch of fantasy points, thus helping keep my opponent's score low. Trust me, my team needs all the help it can get. So thanks! Keep up the great work!!

Freestyle Friday: Waiting

It's evening, and I want to go put on my pajamas. What do I do instead? Yes, I paint my nails. Two coats.

So now I wait until my nails are dry and I can change my clothes without messing them up.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Why I hate spiders

(I am not posting photos of spiders on this blog post - only links - just in case someone reading this is freaked out by photos. Honestly, finding the photos for the links gave me the heebie-jeebies.)

1. Spiders creep me out with all their legs.

2. Spiders make webs that stick to you for hours when you accidentally walk through them.

3. I'm pretty sure spiders are evil incarnate.

Wednesday: Where am I? Chili Day

I am having lunch with Emma on the first chili day of the school year, baby!

Twitter Tuesday: Costume shopping

Went shopping for Halloween costume pieces today at Goodwill and Walmart. Scored shoes, a skirt, and leggings. #WreckItRalph #Vanellope

Letters to the Weekend

Dear s'mores bars,
You were delicious and popular. I will make you again, but I will do it earlier in the day next time.

Dear coloring contest,
Emma was at MIL and FIL's house after spending the night with her cousins, so I went to the event to see if she won. She won first place for her age group! So I got my photo taken with the other winners for the newspaper. We were all about the same height, so I didn't look too out of place. LOL

Dear family party,
I had a BLAST again this year! I even got up enough nerve to sing a song on karaoke. Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with Your Best Shot." I think it went well, according to the feedback I got. And Miss Emma sang karaoke THREE times! She sang with her sweet cousins Audrey and Tori. Precious!

Dear caring for a sick kiddo,
It's the WORST to have a child be sick and not be able to help and make her feel better. Emma woke up vomiting in the middle of the night Saturday after the family party. Big Daddy took the first shift and stayed awake to tend to her while I got a little rest - I dozed on and off, but it wasn't entirely restful sleep. As I type I am watching Cinderella while Emma is sacked out on the couch and Big Daddy and Norbert are asleep upstairs.

Dear parade,
Missing you this year. I'm sad about it, but a healthy kiddo is much more important than a parade.

Freestyle Friday: S'mores bars

They're in the oven right now. Yes, I know it's a little late to be baking. I could end up falling asleep until I hear the timer. Hmm...

3 Thoughts Thursday: Fall Foliage Festival have-tos

1. When you go to the Fall Foliage Festival, you have to ride rides.

2. When you go to the Fall Foliage Festival, you have to play the carnival games.

No, she didn't win a fish.

3. When you go to the Fall Foliage Festival, you have to eat junk food.
I didn't get a photo of Emma's first funnel cake (with extra powdered sugar). She (with my mom and dad) inhaled it too quickly. I think it was a big hit.

Wednesday: Where am I? RE: Fall weather

I am LOVING this weather! It allows me to wear one of my new favorite cardigans.

Who can tell me why I love this cardi?

Twitter Tuesday: Winner

I just wanted to let you all know that I won my fantasy football match-up this week! #winning #finally #noshutoutforme

Letters

Dear mouth pain,
Please let whatever is hurting my gum/inner lip to cut it out. It's too far back to get a good look at it, but I think it's a canker sore. I've had a lot going on lately. Maybe I should pare back?

Dear Mama's Marauders,
You are my fantasy football team. I have been severely disappointed in you thus far this football season. I'm hoping we can pull out a win this week against my bro-in-law's team. (How embarrassing would it be for him - a fantasy football veteran - to get beaten by the loseriest team in our league?)

Dear ladies tap class,
We are back in action tonight after a summer-long hiatus. Hopefully I can keep up!

Dear fall weather,
Welcome! Please stay a while!

Dear Big Daddy's cold,
Please leave his body; and leave this house, too, while you're at it. Neither Emma nor I want you. You are unwelcome.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Forgetful

1. Does being busier make one more forgetful?
Or is that just me? I was at Emma's school yesterday helping out, and then afterward Emma and I went to get haircuts. Homework got done later than normal, but no biggie. Or so I thought.

This morning, I was praying with Emma before the bus came (we do that every morning), and I prayed for her to do well on her spelling test. It dawned on me right then that we hadn't finished her spelling practice worksheet (that I have to sign to say she did the items). We ran in and she did it verbally and I put the signed paper in her bag. Got her on the bus and I came inside.

I put in a load of laundry and came upstairs to do my Bible study. Right as I got started, I realized I'd forgotten to remind Emma to take her almost-finished-and-due-tomorrow library book with her so she could read on the bus. D'oh!

I finished my Bible study and then took Emma's book down to the school so she would at least have it on the bus ride home, and maybe she could read it a little if she had some free reading time during the day.

I felt so discombobulated this morning. Luckily things have turned around since then. But geez.

2. I find it easier to remember things if I make a list lots of lists.
And then I like to cross off each item after I do it. It makes me feel like I've really accomplished something. I even cross off the stuff on my grocery list as I shop.

3. I had a third thought, but I forgot what it was.
It happens to the best of us.

Wednesday: Where am I?

Candy Crush Saga
I am on level 341.

Fantasy football
I am 0-4.

Cross stitch
I am here:

Vacay scrapbook
Don't ask. Just don't.

Twitter Tuesday: Fantasy football

So far I'm 0-4. Loser with a capital L-O-S-E-R. #isuck

Dear week: Dinner plans

Dear Monday,
Thanks for taking it easy on me today. I had less tasks to do at work than I've had in a while. I got to stroll leisurely around Dollar Tree and look for everything (and nothing). I got some grocery shopping done, which means yummy homemade dinners this week. Matched up dance shoes for Ms. Sherilyn during Emma's dance class tonight. Fun day all around.
Dinner: Pork tenderloin, rice au gratin, and steamed broccoli.

Dear Tuesday,
Back to normal in regards to lunch with my mom today. She was sick and off work for a few weeks, so our regularly-scheduled Tuesday and Thursday lunches were on hiatus. Back in action today! Hooray!
Dinner: Seafood mix stir fry with Jasmine rice.

Dear Wednesday,
Helping out this afternoon at Emma's school. I always enjoy being there. Love the staff at Poston Road Elementary. We are so blessed that Emma gets to attend there.
Dinner: Whatever they're serving at church. Whatever it is, it will be delicious.

Dear Thursday,
Lunch again with Mom today.
Dinner: Radiatore pasta with grilled chicken strips and pesto.

Dear Friday,
TGIF! Ready for a relaxing weekend after the past few have been pretty hectic.
Dinner: Unsure. Possibly chicken breasts, corn, and cheese biscuits.

Freestyle Friday: TGIF!

3 Thoughts Thursday: Questions

1. Why are paper cuts so painful?
I mean, they are these tiny little slivers, but they feel like you've basically sliced yourself with the hugest, sharpest knife ever.

2. Why do some weeks seem to fly by, while others seem to  d r a g  o n  f o r e v e r ?
This week is a long one.

3. Can someone please institute a mandatory daily nap time for adults?
No explanation needed.

WaCkY wEdNeSdAy

How today was wacky:

1. Emma stumbled on the top step while getting on the bus and fell to her tiny little knees. (She's so lucky that she got the clumsy gene from me...) She's fine, by the way; but that's still a wacky (not normal) thing to happen.
2. I stayed much later than normal working on the newsletter at work. We are almost done with the newsletter already, earlier than we have been in several months. Thus being (pretty much) on time is wacky.
3. I helped out at Emma's school this afternoon. Three wacky things:
1. The copier was putting a line across the top of every page it printed. That is, every page it printed where the original was put through the automatic paper feeder. It was fine if you put the original on the glass. Wacky copier.
2. Emma and I ended up staying after school today so I could finish the project I was working on for her teacher. Emma did her homework in her classroom and already turned it in, which is pretty wacky.
3. Someone parked their car by the front curb at the school before school dismissed. When Emma and I left, said car was still parked at the curb: which means it was there, gumming up the works for all the people who were there to pick up their kiddos from school. That's wacky. (And very rude.)

Was your day wacky, too? How so?

Twitter Tuesday: Girl Scouts

I'm leading Emma's Brownie/Daisy meeting this afternoon. I'm excited and a little nervous. My mom was my leader back in the day. #memories

Dear weekend: Dancing

Dear Saturday morning,
Emma had junior bowling league in the morning. She is so consistent. It's so cute. She bowled 84 and 70 on her games. She still uses the bumpers for now; but when she gets a little stronger, she won't ever need them. She barely uses them now, though.

Dear Saturday afternoon,
I was a nervous wreck all day because Dancing with Our Hometown Stars was in the evening. We had rehearsal on the stage at about 3:15, then a friend came over and fixed our hair. I didn't get a photo of us together with our fancy hair because we were both so nervous and rushed and frantic. I'm kicking myself for that.

Dear Saturday evening,
Show time! Below is a picture a friend of mine who was in the audience took at the beginning of our dance.

You can't see our hair very well, but we both had some sweet 1940s victory rolls. We looked adorable. :)

Our dance went pretty well, even though we both felt we messed up a few times. Other people didn't seem to notice. The three judges gave us scores of 8, 8, and 8. Let's just say Kim and I felt those were less than adequate scores.

Anyway, we figured we wouldn't win anything; but it turned out that we won the People's Choice award! Pretty sure both our jaws dropped to the floor when that was announced. Although we didn't feel it was our best effort (the last two run-throughs before the show had been perfect, of course), we had a blast together. Plus our kids got to play together several times and had so much fun. Fast friends. And that's more important than any award or score.

Dear Sunday,
Our praise team from church is singing at a benefit for Manna Mission next weekend. We had rehearsal after church. I think we're going to be great. I know it will be a lot of fun. I really enjoy getting to sing with my family: Chris's aunts and one of his uncles. Plus Chris plays bass. It's almost a family band. The drummer, Dave, is the only non-Heacock family member. But he lives next door to Chris's aunt and uncle, so he's basically family, too. Good times.

Dear fantasy football,
Can't I win just ONE time?

Freestyle Friday: Fantasy football

My fantasy football team hasn't gotten off to the best start. Two weeks down: two losses. Honestly, I just want one win. Is that too much to ask? Just one. I just don't want to be the team who gets skunked and doesn't win at all.

Maybe someone out there can help me. I'll tell you who's on my roster, then you can tell me who I should play/drop/pick up. (Because obviously I have no idea what I'm doing.)

QB
Colin Kaepernick
RGIII
Tony Romo

RB
Adrian Peterson
Darren McFadden
Darren Sproles

WR
Mike Wallace
Calvin Johnson
Julian Edelman
Brandon Marshall
Steve Smith
Antonio Brown

TE
Jason Witten
Antonio Gates

K
Phil Dawson
Blair Walsh

Defense
Steelers
Rams

3 Thoughts Thursday: Rain

1. Wet jeans is possibly one of the worst things ever.
You know, when you come inside after being out in the rain and having to walk in it, and you take off your shoes and then you walk around in socks that are now wet because the backs of your jeans are wet and you step on the wet part? Hate it.

2. Drive-thru + rain = wet arm.
Shouldn't it be a rule that all drive-thrus have to have an overhang?

3. It's pointless to fix your hair when it's raining.
That is all.

Wacky Wednesday

There are big, loud machines outside of my house today working on the street in front of my driveway. Luckily we have two driveway entrances (hooray for the front loop!), because I wouldn't have been able to get in my driveway otherwise.  At least now it's not so bumpy to get into my driveway.

And then I was helping out at Emma's school, and now I have a bruise on my finger from using these terrible scissors. Such is the life of a volunteer.

Twitter Tuesday: #BreakingBad

I've been binge-watching #BreakingBad. I'm very late to the party. At least I'm caught up to the current season now. Love @aaronpaul_8!

Dear Weekend: Sore Saturday

Dear Saturday,
Emma had her junior bowling league this morning. The other person she normally bowls against wasn't there; so instead of having her bowl alone, I bowled against her. We bowled two games. On the first game Emma scored 94, and scored 93. Ouch. I woke up on Sunday with a sore arm (I haven't bowled in so long - my poor arm isn't used to it!!).

Dear Saturday,
We played a little cornhole and a few games of bocce ball at MIL and FIL's house. Side note: I'm much better at bocce than cornhole. I woke up on Sunday with sore thighs (from all the bending down to pick up stuff - how out of shape am I??).

Dear Saturday,
Kim came over, and we rehearsed for NEXT WEEKEND'S Dancing with Our Hometown Stars. Big Daddy recorded us, and we watched it back. We were pleasantly surprised at how together it looked. I want to invite everyone to come support us: Dancing with Our Hometown Stars, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Martinsville High School auditorium. (All proceeds go to the Fall Foliage Festival.) I'm sure I woke up on Sunday sore from this, too.

Dear Sunday,
My fantasy football team failed me today. More specifically, Colin Kaepernick and Adrian Peterson failed me. Big time. But I digress.

Dear Sunday,
Dinner at Penn Station with Emma was super fun! And then we did some 15% off shopping at Kohl's (I had a coupon). I got a shirt, Emma got a dance leotard and two stuffed animals (money goes to charity), and my brother-in-law got two birthday items that he won't get to see until his birthday party on the 29th. Let me just say that they are awesome. That is all.

Freestyle Friday: Bridging

I am helping lead Emma's Daisy/Brownie troop this year.  They were all Daisies last year; but this year some of the girls are in 2nd grade, meaning they bridge up to Brownies.  We held an official bridging ceremony tonight, with a celebratory campfire (and obligatory s'mores) afterward.  It was wonderful.

The bridge - the bridging Brownies drew pictures about things they like about Girl Scouts, and we displayed them.

First we had the girls (we had both Brownies and Daisies from the troop there) line up and say the Girl Scout Promise.

Then each bridging Brownie read a few lines from the Girl Scout Law and "bridged" to officially become Brownies. They received a brown ribbon sash, a certificate, a bridging patch, and a gift from the Daisies. At our meeting this week, the Daisies made pretty beaded bracelets for the older girls. It was very cute.

Emma wore the Brownie uniform that belonged to her Mamaw Peggy (my mom) as a young Brownie. Isn't that so sweet?

Here is a sweet photo of all 3 of our new Brownies:

After the ceremony, the girls roasted marshmallows and made s'mores with brownies instead of Hershey bars. I didn't try one, but one of the dads said it was even better with brownies than with Hershey bars.

We were really pleased with how the event turned out.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Stuff I don't like

1. Getting junk under my fingernails
Like dirt, dough, BBQ sauce (one of the main reasons I don't like BBQ sauce is because it gets under my fingernails)

2. People who don't follow through
One of my biggest pet peeves. Say you're going to do something? Mean it. Do it. Then we won't have a problem.

3. People who drive slow in the fast lane
Seriously, there aren't many things more frustrating than that.

Comment with 3 things you don't like. Let it out. You'll feel better.

Wednesday: Where was I? 12 years ago

I wasn't sure I even wanted to write about this - like I'm jumping on the "Remembering 9-11" bandwagon with everyone else. But this is the anniversary of the day the lives of Americans changed forever.

On that fateful day, I was working at a local TV station in Noblesville: the weirdest, most terrible job I've ever had. (Let's just say I worked there for a month and left because the owners were crazy. Plus I never got a paycheck. It was an odd situation. But I digress.)

The camera guy and I were watching the coverage on the tiny TV in the studio, in complete shock. I think we actually watched as the second tower got hit. Then the bosses let us go home to be with our families. (Possibly the only decent thing they ever did. Again I digress.)

The rest of the day is a blur.

So that's where I was 12 years ago today.

Twitter Tuesday: Need prayer

Would you please stop for a second and say a prayer of healing for my mom? She's having some chest and back pain. I'm worried about her.

Dear Monday

Dear Monday,
It's my dear hubby's birthday. Big Daddy is another year older today, making him (for the time being) 2 years older than me. Our birthdays are a year and a half apart, but from September 9 to February 5 he is 2 years older.

Dear Red Lobster,
My parents took us to Red Lobster to celebrate Big Daddy's big day. Three of the 5 of us went with the Endless Shrimp deal. I abstained and instead went with parmesan-crusted tilapia with broccoli and other mixed veggies. Emma went with popcorn shrimp. We were all pleased with our choices and completely stuffed by the time we left.

Dear weather,
Stop being so hot. That is all.

Freestyle Friday: Doctor appointment day

Apparently today is doctor appointment day.

I knew I had my annual eye doctor appointment this afternoon; but I woke up this morning and felt a bit dizzy. I have a tendency to get ear infections, so I figured I better make an appointment with my doctor.

Verdict: fluid in both ears.

Awesome.

So now I have medicine for a double ear infection, and I have another doctor appointment in less than an hour.

How old am I, again?

3 Thoughts Thursday: Carry On

1. Rocking out to "Carry On My Wayward Son" while driving may be dangerous.

It may or may not make someone drive right past the road they meant to turn onto because they aren't paying attention. Maybe.

2. It's fun getting to see Emma "in action" at school.

I volunteered today in her classroom and made lots of copies and other stuff like that for her teacher. I'll do it each Wednesday from now on.

3. It's really hard to sit still while waiting for my fingernails to dry.

Seriously.

Wednesday: Where am I? Craft projects

I am currently working on (or not working on, whatever the case may be) two craft projects:

1. Vacation memorabilia/paper journal
   So far I'm basically moving in a backward direction on this project.
   
   
2. Cross-stitch piece
   It's coming along nicely. I always find cross-stitching relaxing.
   

Twitter Tuesday: Nap

I could go for a nap every day today. I'm thinking about instituting a daily naptime for myself.

Dear Monday: Star Wars Day

Dear Monday,
Thanks for being a holiday, meaning neither Big Daddy nor I had to work; nor did Emma have school. So what did we do? Go to a museum to see a Star Wars exhibit.

Dear Indiana State Museum,
Your Star Wars exhibit was so cool. I enjoyed being allowed to nerd out and not feel like a weirdo because I was with my own kind. We were all nerds together. Emma and I got our picture taken with Han Solo. :) And Emma got her photo taken with several other Star Wars characters and memorabilia. So. Cool.

Jedi Emma

Yoda is wicked good at the staring contest.

"Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."
Yeah, I went there.

You can see all the photos Big Daddy took here.

Dear L.S. Ayers Tea Room,
I haven't thought about you in a really, really long time; but I'm very sad to know that I can't bring Emma to have tea there. I was very young when I went with my mom, but I do still remember it (albeit vaguely). Sad that I don't get to share that experience with my daughter. Anyone know of a good tea room around here?