9 Days and counting

Busy! Is the only word I can use to describe life now. School begins tomorrow but I have already been able to adjust to the drive, as other schools have opened on my battleground final approach to school just a few stoplights down. Desks have been cleaned, seating charts made, and we are ready to open the doors tomorrow morning.

I now need to iron and get ready for the morning but this is the first time I have had in 6 days to check my own email and to catch anyone reading on my no soda campaign.

I have made it now 9 days without any soda, water and some tea (every other day so not completely rid of all the bad in soda but most).

Take care everyone and Welcome back to School.

3 days!

I have now made it three days with out a soft drink...had the headache last night but I stayed with it and powered through! I am interested to see if I see a weight change after this week. I will be sure to post if so.

Also Happy 3rd Anniversary to Sky and Jon! Their furry babies: Cooper, Ben, and Shelby are so lucky to have such great parents!

Stopping the Soda!

Okay so I am on day 2 of my quest to stop my intake of soft drinks...even though they are so delicious! I have a love for diet dr. pepper and diet orange drinks...hhhhmmmm so yummy! Okay so I haven't had a headache yet but I know its coming, I just have to get through it and make it. I am motivate by my nephew that has not had caffeine in any form in over 2 years; and he always makes sure to make the best choices for himself as well. So even with my second fridge full of diet mountain dews (for Robert), I am going to see if I can make it and drop those sugary pounds.

Okay we are now on the countdown to the fairs...Dixie Classic starts on Oct 1st! I am dreaming of a candy apple...but only one this year, I OD'ed on them last year like a hoarder...I learned my lesson :) But I also have to have a roasted corn cob and my fair food fantasy is complete! Yummy!

Check out some our local great fairs and festivals
Dixie Classic Fair http://www.dixieclassicfair.com/
Mayberry Days http://www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/index.html
Autumn Leaves Festival http://www.autumnleavesfestival.com/
Harvest Days http://clarksvilleva.com/festivals-celebrations/harvest-days-festival/
NC State Fair http://www.ncstatefair.org/2010/index.htm
Stokes County http://www.visitstokesnc.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1

Another Mystery Beast on Taylor Road

Okay so I have been taking my summer to also enjoy all the wild life around me here in the beautiful foothills of NC. I have been watching the twins (a set of beautiful baby deer) and their mommy. They enjoy coming around the house mid morning to early afternoon...something must taste good in our backyard. Thank goodness my short dogs havent seen them to and set off my dog alarm....oh the barking!

Well there seems to be another wild animal that is un-identfied at this time that is also in the area and is making me a little nervous. It seems that something has destroyed (we are talking into pieces of metal) a down spot at the boys house. Might I say a bear or something that may be large with large teeth and claws. So we are not sure, nothing has been seen but after dark me at the girls are staying inside until we identify our mystery beast.

Summer Days

Another summer going by too quickly!

We started our summer off with Robert's birthday and a quick trip to the beach. Then I reorganized all the closets in the house (which I am sure I will tackle again soon). July 4th came and we went to the pool with the boys and hotdogs after at our house. Then Lakefest in at my parents lake house in Clarksville, VA. We got to ride on dad's new pontoon boat and shop at the lakefest the next day (we did get rained on but it was still a great weekend. I have had a few library days with the the boys and lots of lunches. I even have them excited to go to Lowes with me - Isaac drives the cart and Jamison rides :) I have also learned that Wii Boxing is a great workout! So just a few more days left, it always goes too fast and you always think of all the things you are going to do, people you will see, but yet another summer is slipping away. My new collection item: cookbooks, I am addicted since this summer with all my trips to the library, i have checked out so many but still my favorite is Paul Dean's boys cookbook...great photos (which I need so i know what it is supposed to look like) and tastes great too. Well I have the boys today - they are still napping but will be up soon. Happy last few days of summer friends!

Yard Work!

Today Robert had me weedeating the yard...my arms is still shaking, but I am super proud of my new skill! This will be my job as Robert mows our huge yard!

We Love Sonic!

Here is Issac with his first Sonic Slushie! We love happy hour at Sonic, half priced drinks! I am a fan of the real fruit - strawberry slush. Great summer time treat everyone!

Baby Katie is Here!

Congrats to Mary "Smiles" and Steve Lawson! Their beautiful baby girl, Katherine Elizabeth "Katie" is here! She is gorgeous! And my gracious she has so much beautiful hair! I was so excited that I got to hold her on her birthday, March 8th! Mom and Dad both looked great and were ready for their little girl to arrive right on time. God bless to the new family!

Dogs Dogs Everywhere!

Well our doggie family has been loving hanging out together lately. Enjoy the photo of Angel and Belle sharing a bed (they have 3 in the house but the both have to be together). And Brownie has finally gotten use to hanging out in his house...we had to place it on the front porch for now, I am sure it will be making it to the back porch.

Isaac's 100 Project

Anyone that knows me knows I love a project...especially when I have glitter and hot glue. Isaac had a project where he had to use 100 of something to create a project for school. We thought of mini marshmellows (which I thought would be more of) but my goodness there is at least 300 to 400 in one bag! First Isaac thought of making a snowman but after looking at how many marshmellows we had I tried to get Isaac to brainstorm some more cool ideas...then it hit me...a Krispy Kreme Doughnut - it was awesome! Robert and I helped Isaac finish and then we made a trip to KK to pick up a box to place his super cool project in! Another win for the craft box!

Our Kitchen mini-remodel

Well ever since I saw the tile add to our backsplash (which we paid extra for) I really didn't care for it. Since this past summer we looked at other alternatives that we could use instead. I looked at other tile, thought about the faux metal title sheets, but then saw a beadboard backsplash in a magazine. I then saw a do it yourself show that did one as well and I was sold. Robert found this great product made from PVC materials, no need to paint and it wipes clean, and yes I have had to do so already. Thank you Robert for all your hard work, I love it! PS - I finally finished painting the laundry room and add the Bella Mint green to the kitchen as well. My next painting project, our room and the living room...that I will wait until spring to take on :)

Smiley's Baby Shower

Saturday, January 16th Sky and I held a baby shower for Mary "Smiley". She is looking great and very excited for a baby girl to join their beautiful family! Sky is so crafty...she made the diaper cake, awesome! Such a wonderful day...yummy treats and a wonderful time to celebrate the little miracle to come :) Congratulations Lawsons!

Belle Working Out!

Well Biggest Loser watch out! Belle is my fitness trainer :) Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I have been busy finishing items for Christmas lately! Christmas cards have been sent, I have wrapped along the way, and next making snacks! Belle has enjoyed having Angel here with her for the last few weeks, a much calmer dog :) This weekend we were able to attend the LRBC Christmas Play, again the kids and young leaders did an amazing job! My nephews played parts in the play again this year; its so amazing to think back to the many parts they have played in the plays growing up and how much I look forward to seeing the play each year. Jordan played "Tex" a Christmas ornament and Joshua as Joseph. And of course the traditional end of the play was with the song I remember singing at the end of our plays growing up; "We Wish you a Merry Christmas!" and of course with the traditional arm swing! Its GREAT!

Well I will be sure to take a photo of my tree to post soon.

Take care everyone and I hope you all have a very Merry CHRISTmas! Take this time to send those special notes to family and friends, take lots of photos of the kids, and enjoy every minute that our Lord and Savior has blessed us with.

Thanksgiving Time!

I love Thanksgiving...today I was at Harris Teeter, picking up sale items and checking my list twice and my coupon book as well. I love double/triple coupons time. Best deal are the yeast rolls, BOGO. And I have picked up a ham for our house and to take to Reidsville. My goal before Wednesday - to finally paint the laundry room. I just bought the paint in July :) but I did have the paint shook up again this weekend and I am going to get off the computer and begin to tape up the room...and what a taping job, there are 5 doors in that room (back door, bathroom door, two closets, and door leading the dinning room) - yikes! Hopefully I will have photos to share soon!

Take care everyone! Jerri