I didn't promise exciting

So...when a team that hasn't always done well starts doing well, a lot
of fair weather fans come out of the woodwork. It amuses me. But the
Big Man and his parents are not that. They have supported the Saints
through thick and thin and don't talk about them like they merely read
articles about them. They are true fans, and that's why we have so
much stuff around the house. I am still in search of something that I
bought the Big Man for the first Christmas that we were married. I
know it's around here; I just haven't found it yet. So for tonight,
another football.

Another shirt

Here is the shirt I wore the night the Big Man went to the Saints
game, and I sat home and cheered!!!

Hats off...

I keep my Philadelphia Flyers, Eagles and Phillies hats on a wall in
my room at school. I've added this Saints hat to the wall.

A fan must-have...

The jersey. We have several jerseys at our house. Even MK has 2:
Saints and Steelers.

Today was a pretty good day. We were able to have some family time,
and that's always nice. We are looking forward to the weekend though.
Sleep is highly coveted around here. So I think I'll go get some.
Good night!!!

State of the Saints

We had a good night. The Big Man didn't have to work, so we all went to dinner and to church as a family...plus one friend. So here are pictures of that.




















And the Saints object of the day is T. Willy's football.

Countdown to the Super Bowl

I am going to try to post something different that is Saints related
every day until the Super Bowl. I'm hoping I can do this without
breaking into the Christmas ornaments, because that would just be too
easy. Tonight is the jacket that the Big Man bought for me when he
went to his first game this year.

And my favorite Saints related word of the day...they are located in
the state of "LaBREESiana."

Only two weeks of this...

We have lots and lots of Saints gear, so I think I'll share some of it
with you leading up to the Super Bowl. We are just a little excited
about the Saints making their first appearance in it. So tonight you
can see T. Willy wrapped in his Saints towel.

There's a reason I don't do this often.

Last night I straightened my hair for the first time in a couple of
years. I realized why I haven't done it in such a long time. It took
too long, and frankly, didn't look that great. The picture I'm posting
was the best I could get, and that's mostly because you can't see the
back. It shrinks a LOT when it's curly, so it was really long, but it
looks like hay when it's straight. Anyway it was fun for a night.

MK and friends

MK has some friends over tonight. I managed to get a picture of them
all in one place.

'Cause I'm cool like that

Oh, how I make myself laugh.

I am hoping to get this pin before football season begins. Gotta
represent. Oh my...perhaps I am spending too much time with teenagers.

Politically correct....cake

MK and the Big Man made a cake last night. It was a chocolate cake
but with chocolate AND vanilla frosting. To appease MK and post more
"events," here are pictures.

Exam week

Semester exams are this week. The students take their exams and are
released at 11:30, but the teachers have to stay to grade. The Big
Man picked up MK and brought me lunch today. I was thinking it might
be McDonald's, but no....sushi!!!! Thank you, Big Man!!!

Master Chief

T. Willy loves to dress up. He got this helmet for Christmas and likes
to wear it while playing video games.

They're home!!

After a very quiet weekend, the house is full of life again. Everyone
is home safe and sound.

Today's picture is of MK and two of her friends and a BIG tub of
cheese balls.

She cracks me up.

It's quiet here

The Big Man and the kids have been having a good time visiting family
in New Orleans. We are celebrating a Saints win and a Cowboys loss,
so it has been good.

My mother in law has been keeping me in the loop with pictures. Here
is a picture of MK and her cousin fixing a snack.

Whodat?

The Big Man is in the Superdome with his dad right now waiting for the
game to start. He's been fortunate to go to two games this year.
Let's hope they win so there will be more to watch!!!

At Ty's request

T. Willy asked me to take a picture of him since he's going away for
two days. He doesn't want me to forget what he looks like.

My girl

MK was creative with the camera tonight. Here is one of her
pictures. Wow, I love this beautiful girl!!!

T. Willy went back to school today. He seems just fine and was happy
to get back.

We are looking forward to our 3 day weekend. MK is having some friends
over tomorrow night. That should be fun. Then the Big Man is taking
the kids to visit his parents so that I can have a little bit of free
time and get some work done. I'll miss them, but I will enjoy the
quiet for a short time. I know I'll be ready to see them when they
get home!

So that's it for us. Have a great night!

At MK's request

T. Willy is feeling better and will be going back to school tomorrow

MK said that I don't post enough pictures of "events." So tonight's event was cooking dinner...and here are pictures. We made homemade egg rolls, homemade cheese sticks and homemade fried rice. It was a bit of a mixture, but we all wanted different things.


Here is MK stirring the egg roll mixture.




















MK and the Big Man cook together.



















The finished product.

Sister/daughter of the year!!!

T. Willy was up sick three times during the night, and I didn't know
about it until this morning. (Their rooms are on the other side of
the house.) MK took care of him! She comforted him, cleaned him and
put him back to bed....three times!! I do not know many 14 year olds
who would do that. What an amazing girl we've been blessed with!

Poor baby

T. Willy's teacher called me at school this afternoon. She said that T. was complaining of a stomachache. She felt like she needed to call because he has never complained before. MK and I picked him up early, but when he came home, he seemed fine.

I had my final class tonight (happy happy day!) and during class the Big Man texted that T. was napping. This boy DOES NOT nap unless he's sick, and sure enough, he woke up with a temperature of 102.6. It doesn't seem to be his stomach, though. I'm thinking ear infection. So, I've arranged for a sub tomorrow and will be staying home with him. I went to the school and prepared a lesson plan for the sub. There were few people there when I was, and it was such a strange but nice thing to be there alone. I really liked the solitude.

So, that's it for me tonight. Have a great evening!

Oh so proud

The Big Man, his dad, brother, and some of their friends participate in a football pool. It is for "bragging rights" only, but egos are on the line. This year a gnome was purchased to go to the winner...and the winner was the Big Man! It was close, but he pulled it out! So, the gnome gets to live at our house until a new winner claims it. We are looking for the right spot, but for now, I'll just post a picture of it.

Happy Birthday to my brother!

And a T. Willy quote: as a family, we watch the tv show, "Chuck." A two hour episode is on tonight, and another one hour episode is on tomorrow. We are recording it and won't be able to watch it until tomorrow. The Big Man asked, "What could be better than three hours of Chuck? And T. Willy answered, "Four!!!"

'Tis better to....receive....

I'm not talking about Christmas, so I think it's okay to start that way.

As you may know, my 40th birthday was in October. It was truly one of my best birthdays ever...especially gift-wise. I know it's not really polite to discuss, but I was given some really great swag this year. I was using some of it this evening and was reminded of how much I'm enjoying it.

My boots: I bought my boots with money from my in-laws, and I absolutely love them and wear them way too often!


















Then my mixer...I had salivated over one of these for years. It was used a lot over the holidays. I even look for things to make just so I can use it. Thanks to my parents for this beauty! (Yes, MK is too...but I'm focusing on the mixer right now.) My parents also gave me the Eagles hoodie that was featured last night...we didn't win, but it's a great shirt!

















Cast iron Dutch oven: courtesy of the Big Man. I use this thing a LOT, and it makes me happy every time I do. He once told me that if you cook in cast iron, you'll get your RDA of iron, and it makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my family with each meal I make in it. Here it is holding crawfish etouffee.



















And my Pioneer Woman cookbook. I use this OFTEN! For instance, tonight I made Breakfast Burritos for dinner. Yum! I have bookmarked it with post-it notes, because I haven't had time to try everything. It is a beautiful cookbook, and it isn't exactly calorie-conscious, but the food is hearty and delicious. The pot roast is MK's favorite which is nice because she gave the book to me.




















I just wanted to write about these things and to let the givers know how much they are appreciated!

Pictures from "pretty much the best day ever"

While I distract myself from the game....

MK went to her friend, Taylor's, house today. They had what I've heard
was "pretty much the best day ever." I've loved looking at the
pictures, and Taylor gave me permission to share some.

I can't decide what I want more...

The Eagles to win...or the Cowboys to lose???? As long as both
things happen, I'll be happy!

No snow...so...

I confess that I was a little bit disappointed that we didn't get any
snow. Oh well. I did, however, take some pictures at school today for
a project that I have to do for the class I am taking. For those of
you far away, it's a little glimpse of what MK and I see every day.

I can't believe it...or as MK calls it...the Apocalypse

The weather predictions have been up and down. It was warmer this
afternoon than it has been in several days. However, we aren't going
to see warm again soon. And, for the first time in the 12 years that
we've lived here, they are calling for snow...maybe an inch of wet
snow. And after it stops snowing, the temperature is supposed to
drop. I am curious if we will have school tomorrow. We are just not
prepared for ice, and I can't even imagine school buses out in it.
However, the county superintendent of schools just sent out an
automated phone call that, as of 4:15 or so, school is still on. We
will continue listening for "the" call...my kids' first and possibly
only snow day ever.

So......

We are back in the swing of school, and there is very little to write
about. The Big Man is working late tonight, but I still actually
cooked a real dinner for the kids and myself. They're in bed, and I'm
enjoying some quiet.

I don't even have an original picture for tonight, so I went through
the photos on my phone and found some favorites worth reposting. Yes,
I do realize it's a little early in the year for reruns. Oh well.

A Night at the....living room

We are having a family night. I actually made dinner (grilled cheese
and homemade French onion soup;) MK made cupcakes, we put a fire in
the fireplace, and we rented a movie. T. Willy didn't think he
wanted to watch it (A Night at the Museum - Battle of the
Smithsonians,) but he is sitting in here having a ball with us. What
a fun night!

It's hard to imagine, but snow is predicted for Thursday. We've lived
here 12+ years and have never seen so much as a flurry. If it even
snows, I'm not expecting accumulation, but it would be a lot of fun to
see. It might make this very cold weather worthwhile.

So that's it for tonight. I hope yours was just as fun!!!