Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011

What is your opionion on Halloween? My parents allowed us to trick or treat. As far as I know Michaels parents allwed it as well. My husband and I always allowed Blake to dress up and take part in trick or treating. One of us would stay and hand out treats to the other kids that came by. To be honest, I don't recall the last time Blake dressed up for halloween.  One year Blake went as the grim reaper. His dad was a funeral director at the time so we all thought it was quite funny. But not everyone gets our humor.
My sister does not celebrate halloween. To my knowledge she didn't allow her kids to celebrate it either. She feels it is a pagon holiday and is worshiping satan. I can understand and respect her feelings Her kids are all grown. I wonder what they wll do with their chldren.

We went to a Halloween party Saturday night.  The decorations were awesome!  I have never seen anyone go all out like this family did.  They had food in the shape of brains, eyes, skull with some type of spicey jelly on top that looked like blood, in a small casket they had a skeleton and they put brisket on top of it like we were eating the persons meat for dinner.  Very creative.

In front  of the house was a bone yard with tumb stones and bones and all kinds of things.  They had a thicket with babies all inside.  It reminded me of Freddy with the soul of children that is on his chest and belly.  I could go on and on but there were just so many details.  The very first contest I participated in to help the hostess out.  It was a carmel appel contest.   Whoever ate the carmel appel the fastest won.  Thank God I took small bites because it ended up being onions covered in carmel with sprinkels on it.  I got a little to the paper but I never hit actual onion.  The guy next to me was chowing down on the onion like it was an apple.  Everyone got a kick out of it.  Each of us got a prize.We ended up leaveing at 10 PM.  It was a fun night.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Davis the Natural Photographer

It is almost 2 AM on Saturday morning and I am just now getting the chance to look at the pictures taken last Saturday.  To be honest I had no idea what to expect.

Six year old Davis is a wonderful young man.  He is so full of life and you never know what he is going to say next. I giggle the entire time I am with him.  While we were at Derek's game Davis got a little bored so I offered to let him take pictures with my camera.  It's a Nikon D3000.  No, it is not top of the line by any means but, it's not a particularly in expensive camera either.  Well at least not to me.  So I put the strap around his little neck and show him how to zoom in and out and what button to push to take the picture.  I really expected to get some funny shots. I figure I would end up deleteing all the pictures he took. I go through them and I am shocked at how well he did.  He had some great shots.  Out of the 50 - 60 shots he took he only took about 6 shots that were of trees or of nothing in particular.  And to be honest some of those shots could have been me showing him what button to push and showing him how hard you have to push the button.  I do believe he is a natural.  If he starts taking photographs at 6 years old can you imagine how incredible his pictures will be by the time he is 40 years old?

Davis actually blew my post.  I was hoping to be able to put several crazy shots he took for your amusement and mine and call it a day. Dang! Foiled by a six year old. 

Pictures taken by 6 yo Davis





The two below is what I was expecting for 90% of what he had taken.
It was a pleasant suprise that is wasn't. 
 


Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I'll see you on Monday.

Jackie

Friday, October 28, 2011

Movie Remakes / Books to movies

Are you going to see the new Footloose movie?  I have heard great things about it so far.  I think I would really like to see it.  My husband, not so much.  He loves the 80's version and doesn't think the new one will do it justice.  I'm dieing to see how they updated the dance moves and well everything.  I know Blake Shelton sings the remake of Footloose.  I adore Blake Shelton!  I have heard his version and was pleasantly surprised. I might have to see if a friend will go with me.

What do you think of remakes over all?  Such as Cheaper by the dozen, Arthur, and hundreds of others.  I just looked it up and you wouldn't believe the number of remakes that have already been made as well as remakes in the works.

For the 80's generation (or any) I have a feeling any move remade now will be frowned upon by our generation.  However, our kids might love this version.  It might have something to do with the moving being updated and having the actors they recognize.

What is your feeling about books turning into movies?  Do you read the book then go see the movie?  Or do you watch the movie and then read the book?  I have done both.  I have to say that if I read a book then watch the movie and I am normally disappointed in the movie.  However, if I see the movie then read the book I'm OK with it.  Even if the book and movie are very far apart.  P.S. I Love you is a perfect example of this.  P.S. I love is you is one of my all time favorite movies.  I had to read the book after seeing the movie 50 times. I'm not exaggerating in the least.  I watched that movie every night for the first month and 1/2 I had the movie.  I got the book and have read it 3 times and will be reading it again soon. The book and movie are vastly different and yet I love them both.  I have a feeling that had I read the book first I would HATE the movie.

I read the Twilight series.  I have only watched the first movie.  I wasn't impressed with the movie.  Everyone tells me the other movies are much better and that the first movie isn't as good due to the budget. I don't know.  The books were good but,  I don't know if they deserve all the attention they are getting. Of course my friends would beg to differ. ha ha

Do you like remakes?  If so, do you have a favorite?

Do you read the book then see the movie?  Or do you watch the movie then read the book?  Or do you just read the book or just watch the movie?

What is your favorite book?  What is your favorite movie?

Hope you have a great weekend!

Jackie

PS:  You will never guess what was on tonight.  Footloose the original.  Great movie.  It just makes me want to go see the new one even more.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Last Weekend

I can't believe it is already Thursday.  This week has flown by. I know this is a little late in coming but Friday nights story is to funny to not tell you.  Of course it might be one of those had to be there things.  Let me know what you think.

Blake came in last Friday.  When he got here I showed him this really scary clown and told him that I was going to scare him with it later. He was freaking out with it just in the room.  It was great.  So I take the clown out to the garage. (my husband will not let me keep it in the  house) We go out to eat and run some errands.  We get home and before we can go in our room I had to get my dad some things.  So, the guys came into our room so we could watch some shows together before we go to bed.  So I sneak into the garage and hang the clown up in his bedroom door way.  I go back to our room like nothing ever happened.  It was great because normally I crack up and give it all away. 2 hours go by and Blake is going to go to bed because we have to be up early Saturday morning.  I get up before he does and get dad some ice and get my phone set it to video.  I hear Blake walking to his room so I high tail it around the corner and was headed to Blake's room when I hear him running around the corner yelling WTF! I busted out laughing.  It was too dark to actually get anything on video or I would show you.  It only recorded the sound of running feet and what Blake said and me busting out laughing. I think it to funny that an almost 20 year old would be freaking out over a clown.  Although it is a little evil looking.




Here is just the head of the clown.

Saturday we were on the road by 6:45 AM to go watch Trisha's boys play football again.  We got to see Ty and Alison as well.  Ty is Trisha's brother. After we watched the games we went out to lunch.  We had to get back because Blake was heading to a tail gate party at Ranger stadium for the World Series.  When we got home my niece and her boyfriend were pulling up. They stayed and visited for a while and we took them to dinner.  We were exhausted.  After the Ranger game we went on to bed.  It had been a very long day.

Sunday we just relaxed.  I was very thankful we didn't have anything going on.

What do you have planned for this coming weekend?  Anything exciting?  I don't think we have anything going on other than catching up on getting our house organized.  Hopefully I will be fully recovered before the weekend is over.  I'm ready to have this curd over with.

Have a great Thursday!

Jackie

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Sick again... Yippee!

I think I caught something from the dentest office.  I've been sick to my stomach since last night and now do not have much of a voice.  It feels like the flue or a cold.  I was on antiboitcs from the Dentist so it's not an sinus infection.

I'm so tired I can't think.  I got two hours of sleep between Sunday night and Monday morning before work.  I've been up for over 24 hours now.

I'm sorry this isn't much of a post but, I'm going to try and go to sleep.

Have a wonderful day!

Jackie

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Do you have an accent?

I was tagged via email to do the Accent Meme by A Girl and A Boy .  I feel so bad because I said her blog name incorrectly in the video.  I do an annotation to correct it.  If you click on her name above it will take you to her blog.

I had a lot of fun making this vlog.  Hope you enjoy it.  Please be sure to let me know if you think I have an accent.


If you would like to join along in the fun just follow the directions below.


Record yourself saying the following things and answering the following questions.

Questions:

 Your name and/or user name
 Where you’re from
 The following words: Aunt, Roof, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting Image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught, Orange, Coffee, Direction, Naturally, Aluminum, Herbs.
 What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
 What is the bug that when you touch it, it crawls into a ball?
 What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
 What do you call gym shoes?
 What do you say to address a group of people?
 What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
 What do you call your grandparents?
 What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
 What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
 What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

If you choose to do the Accent Meme please be sure to post a comment so that I can come to your blog and listen to your "accent".

Thank you for stopping by:  Jackie

Monday, October 24, 2011

First Record

Do you recall the very first record you ever bought with your own money?  I'm talking vinyl no CD or Tape.  Well alright, if your not as old as I am I'm not going to stop you from playing along.

My very first 45 was I can't drive 55 by Sammy Hagar. I was in my early teens hanging out with some friends.  I didn't have much money left in my pocket so we went into the record store.  I go through the 45's and pulled out I can't drive 55 because I thought it sounded cool.  I had never heard the song in my life nor had I heard of Sammy Hagar.  But when I got home I put the record on the record player and rocked out to it. It was so uptempo that it got you moving.  If I would have been 16 at the time that tape would have be blaring as I sped down the road.  That record was the first time I had bought an album without know who the singer was. 

The next album I bought without knowing who he was or if his singing was worth the almost $15 for the new CD I had just bought was none other than Keith Urban's 2002 Golden Road.  Oh my word was he one good looking man.  When I plugged in his CD I knew I struck gold.  No pun intended. I learned every word of every song on that CD.  He had me hook line and sinker

What was the first record, tape or CD you ever bought on your own?  Have you ever bought a single or album on blind faith?  If so was it worth it or did you regret it?

I love music.  It has lifted me up after loosing loved one.  It has brought me comfort, made me feel love, anger, happy, bubbly.  You name it and music has the ability to bring out just about any emotion you can think of.  Think of a scary movie.  Without the scary music the scene just isn't the same.

What is your favorite kind of music?  What is your favorite CD/Album? What is your favorite band/group or singer?

I hope I get some comments on this one.  I would love to checkout some new music and share it with my husband and son.

Have a great Monday.

Jackie

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Watching Derek and Davis play football

This morning we will be getting up and heading back to watch Derek and Davis play some more football.  This time we have along a little surprise.  Blake is coming along with us.  I am really looking forward to watching Blake's reactions to the boys playing ball.  I'm also curious if they will try to impress Blake with their mad skills.  Either way I know it will be another enjoyable weekend with family.

Davis trying track down a offensive player

Davis gets the flag!  That a boy Davis


Don't worry we can't leave big brother Derek out of the mix

I think this is a good shot of Derek getting set

This pic looks like Derek is holding his own against 95

This is just a cool pic of the books looking tough. haha

Good luck to both teams.  I hope I am able to write about how both teams won and how great each of you did. Happy Saturday!

Jackie

Friday, October 21, 2011

Klout and other Social Media

Today I was watching a vlogger on Youtube, he mentioned that he got on Klout the other day because a viewer mentioned it to him in the comments. I was curious so I logged on to Klout.com and set up an account to find out what my Klout score was. My Klout score is an embarrassing 13. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be very high. From what I understand your Klout score shows you how much influence you have on people. Under my Klout profile is says that I am an observer. I would agree with this 100%. There are days where I'm supper out going but generally I'm pretty laid back and like to watch things unfold.


I'm on Facebook, Twitter, VYou, Google+ among other things. My problem is I am not one to really engage on the social media sites. I typically get hung up on a game. But as far as actually putting up a status update everyday or a few times a day that just isn't going to happen. I will admit I did update quite a bit when I first got on Facebook but, that is because I saw others updating frequently. I found out from my sons friends that it isn't cool to update your status often. Maybe it made me a little gun shy. Because after that I was scared to death of putting anything up. I will read and comment on Facbook or other social media sites  if I'm stuck in line or waiting for anything really, or on a long ride when someone else is driving,  I will also log on if I cannot fall asleep at night and I don't have a good book to read.


In my opinion people give out too much information. I can honestly say I don't want to know you’re soon to be ex-husband tried to rape your mom and beat her up. Then you take it up a notch and go into detail about what all went on. I feel sorry for you and your family but, I don't need to know these things in graphic detail. Next up you start airing out things about the custody battle. My heart goes out to that poor little girl in the middle of that mess. I'm just thankful she is really young. I'm hoping she is too young to recall any of the craziness that went on. I think things like this are why I like Google+. You can post that kind of thing to people that are close. (Not that I would) Not some girl you barely knew in high school 20 years ago.


I'm not sure why I feel you should hold back on Facebook, Twitter or other Social Media sites. I obviously do not have a problem speaking my mind or telling people about my life on a blog or reading about others lives via a blog.


With blogs, I am expecting a certain amount of personal things. But, if I ever found a blog that put to much information out there I probably would just not read it. With a blog you can read what you want when you want and comment or not. With social media you will potentially be hurting a "friend" if you unfriend them and they figure out you did so. Some people take it very seriously so I try not to unfriend people very often. I have unfriended people by accident but that was more when I was just getting started several years ago. Other than the things I pointed out here I'm not sure why I feel the way I do.

What are your thoughts? Are you on any social media sites? Do you update your status frequently and comment on others statuses? Do you ever feel people put to much information on social media sites or blogs? To be honest I thought my dentist blog was too much information. But, I was too looped out to care. I most likely shouldn't have posted anything. I just know when I go to a blogger's site I enjoy having something new to read.  Even i that something isn't very long and a little more then I bargained for.  Please take a moment and let me know how you feel. 

Have a happy Friday!  I know I'm going to.  Blake came in town Thursday night and will be going back to Oklahoma on Sunday.

Jackie






Thursday, October 20, 2011

Dentist

I normally write my post the day or night before they post is published.  Today's will be short and to the point.  I went to the dentist at 8:30 AM with a tooth that was killing me.  I was expecting a root canal.  What I wasn't expecting was two root canals,  Almost a third.  Three fillings and two extractions from old root canals. I didn't get finished until 1:50 PM.  Right now my face is numb and I can't think straight. So please forgive this entry.  Sweet dreams.



Hope your day was better than mine.
Jackie

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Part two of Little League Football

While we were watching Davis play ball Derek was off playing with friends and messing with his fun box.  Trisha is one smart mama.  She has a box for each boy of things they can do so they do not get board while their brother is playing sports.  Derek is quieter than Davis.  But both boys are very  sweet well mannered young men.

Trish and Clint are very involved parents.  Apparently Clint is over the YMCA little leaque flag football teams.  He has to make sure all parents and players play with good sportsmanshipngs.  If they do not he has to step in and get things under control.  Saddly it is more difficult for the parents and coaches to keep thier cool then it is for the players. Clint does this for the YMCA which is the league Davis plays in.  Derek plays for a different league.  Clint is the head football caoch for Dereks team.

Clint talking to Michael while keeping an eye on things during Davis's game.

 
Trisha is kind enought to take photos of all of the different kids and puts them up on flicker for the parents can have them printed from Flicker if they like a particular shot Trisha took of their child.  If a parent wants quite a few picutres of thier child then Trisha is sweet enough to make a cd for them.

Trisha working hard to get the perfect shot of each child
Saddly we didn't really get a chance to visit with Trisha and Client until after the football games. Well Micahel and Clint visited at Davis's game but wasn't able to for the second game. We eneded up going back to Trish ad Clint house for a little bit but had to leave right around 5 becuase they had a suprise party they had to be at.

The upside is we got to visit with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Vernon.  Peggy is Michael's mom's little sister. It has been a while since we have had a chance to get to visit with any of them so it was nice catching up.  We both wish we lived closer to everyone so we could vist more oftern.  Life always seems to get in the way.  We need to make time for everyone in our families.  On boths sides of the family.  I love Michaels family as much as my side of the family.  I've been around them since I was 15 years old.  Heck I helped Trisha learn how to drive stick shift at Grandma Wallases house.  I wasn't sure if I would have a transmission when it was all said and done but, it worked out.

Davis sitting on Grandpa Vernon's lap waiting to go into the game while Grandma Peggy talks to them.
I hope you have a great Thursday.  Please besure to make time for your family. They are the one's who will always be there for you in the end.

Jackie

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Flash back to little league football

This was quite a busy weekend.  When I got home from work we went grocery shopping to get that out of the way. We needed to get to bed early so we could get up and drive to McKinney to watch some of our cousins on Michael's side of the family play football. It was fun and exciting as well as tiring.

The first game we went to see was a flag football game for Trisha's youngest son Davis.

Davis plays center the majority of the time.  That is him hiking the ball.

 Davis did a wonderful job playing center.  He was cracking me up when he wasn't on the field. One time the coach was trying to get the kids together and talk to them about the next offensive play while the defense was on the field.  So Davis's grandma tells him "Davis you probably need to go on over to where your coach is talking to the other boys." Davis just sat where he was looked up and listened for a minute or two and said "nah, that has nothing to to do with me."  And he was right.  I wasn't much help.  I was laughing so hard I couldn't bear to tell he to go listen to his coaches.  Besides, he isn't the only one that didn'  listen to the coach's very well.  They were like herding a bunch of cats at times.  It was too cute to watch them all.

Davis even got the opportunity for a hand off.  Here is a picture of him getting the ball handed off to him.


He saw so close to a touch down.  We are very proud of him for working so hard.  He is just a ball to be around.

Two hours later we were at Derek's football game. Derek is Trisha's oldest son.  Derek is a center as well.  Derek is just under 60 pounds and was going up against a young man that was closed to 95 pounds. He  did a wonderful job getting the ball to the QB and doing his best to hold the guy that was at least two times his size.

Derek is # 50 on the Navy Blue team he was up against # 95 on the Cowboys  I should have

I will put a couple more photo's up tomorrow. We had a great time watching the boys.  It is always fun watching the kids play ball.  They try so hard to give it their all.  We are hoping to make it again this weekend.  Blake might be in town and is wanting to watch the boys play football.

After the game Michael and I went over to Trish and Clint's house and visited. Trisha's mom Peggy and step dad Vernon were at the game and were visiting with us as well. I will fill you in on that more tomorrow.

On our way home Michael and I grabbed something to eat. We stopped and got dad his KFC popcorn chicken he is hung up on right now and I dropped Michael off  so they could watch the Texas Rangers game.  By the way the Rangers clinch the ALW championship and are going back to the World Series. Hopefully they will win it this time around.


I went to hang out with Amy.  We didn't do a ton but it sure was fun hanging out with my friend.


Sunday was a day of rest.  And I sure did date advantage of that.  I didn't want to get up for work on Monday.  Oh well we all have to do things we don't want to do at times.

I am falling asleep as I type this as you can  probably tell.  So I will write more about it tonight.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.

Jackie

Monday, October 17, 2011

Missing Days Gone By

I read I don't know the number of parenting blogs.  Obviously I don't need to do this  but, I enjoy kids and love to hear the adventures various parents are on with their children. All of the stories are different but underneath they are all the same.  When I hear about a child rolling over for the first time it makes me stop and think of Blake rolling over the first time. When someone else's child walks or talks or whatever for the first time it takes me back to the days of when Blake was that age and doing each of these things for the first time.

I was just telling Michael how much I miss Blake being little.  He was so easy and just a joy for us to be around.  Don't get me wrong.  He had his moments.  I know for sure from 18 months to 24 months I didn't know if either of us were going to make. Oh my word was everything a fight.  Other than that if he misbehaved I knew I wasn't spending the time I need to spend with him.  Blake's love language is quality time. So he loved the one on one attention. Michael and I loved spending time with him so it was win win for all of us.

It is very hard to have your entire world wrapped around one person and then that person grow up.  When Blake went to college I found myself lost  and wondering what to do with all the free time I have on my hands.  Before we never had to worry about what we would be ding from one day to the next.  Blake's sports or school activities dictated it. The next thing you know they are a Sr. and off to college the next year.

I have always said the hardest part about parenting is knowing when to let go and how much to let go.  From the time you are pregnant you start tending to your unborn child.  You eat healthier, exercise, take vitamins anything to make sure you have the healthiest baby you can. When they are born you do everything for them.  They grow a little older and you have to let go and let them try new things.  So on and so forth. If you give them to much freedom it can turn out very bad.  Sometimes I wonder if we should have let go a little more.  To give him the freedom to make even more mistakes.  That is another the hard part never knowing if you are doing the right thing.  In the end you do the best you can and that is all you can do.

Michael and I were laying in bed the other night thinking of a million funny things that Blake did when he was a baby and as he was growing up. We miss the little Blake but, loved watching him grow and accomplish different things.  It is still a joy to watch him accomplish new and exciting things it is just different.  When they are little there are a ton of firsts.  As they get older there are fewer and fewer.  The joy and excitement a child has for new things is so contagious.  It always brought out the best in us.  We wanted to be better people for our son so that he could become the best man he could be.  So far Blake could not have made us prouder.  He is everything a parent dreams of when thinking of having a child.  I know I've said it before but, I will say it again.  If I knew I could have another child be just like Blake I would have one right now.  Just for the joy of watching him grow up all over again.

Do you have kids?  If so do you miss anything they used to do when they were younger? Do you have any advice for a mom with a son in college?  Do you have any advice I can give him to make his college life better?

I hope you had a great weekend and that your Monday is better than expected.

Jackie


Sunday, October 16, 2011

What happened this weekend

I will give you an update on this past weekendawas and what was done on Tuesday.

Did you do anything fun or interesting this weekend?  If so let me know in the comments.  My husband and I are always looking for something fun to do.  If you have any suggestions on what my husband and I could do please let me know in the comments.

I hope you had a fantatstic weekend.

Thank you,
Jackie

Friday, October 14, 2011

Favorite Authors and books

Do you enjoy reading?  If so who is your favorite author? Do you have more than one author you enjoy reading? If so who?

My favorite author is Nora Roberts. The reason Nora is my favorite author is because when I pick up one of her books I never know what I'm going to get inside. She writes romances, books with magic in them, historical you name it. Unlike Daniel Steel.  You know if you pick up one of Daniels books it will most likely be about abuse of some kind.  And that is OK.  I like her as well.  I just don't want to be depressed all of the time.  One of the other things I really like about Nora Robers is she finishes out each character so she has quite a few trilogies. I love getting to know all of the characters in a book.  It thrills me that she gives you a peak at a person that was a main character in the previous book in the book you are currently reading.  I like that you learn how the person progressed.  I don't recall a book written by her that I have not thoroughly enjoyed.  Nora Roberts also writes a mystery series under J.D. Robb.  It is set in the future.  If you can get around the futuristic stuff the story line is great. She is one of the few mystery writers that I can not figure out who the murderer was before I finish the book.  If you click on Nora Roberts name it will take you to her website.

My next favorite author is Nicholas Sparks. Nicholas does not write the run of the mill romance novels.  His books seem to be more realistic and true to life.  Most of his books to not end in happily ever after.  I think I have read all but maybe three of his books. A Walk to Remember I read in one night.  I enjoy his books more than the movies.  But the movies are good as well.   If you click on Nicholas Sparks name it will take you to his website.

My third favorite author is Janet Evanovich. Janet's Stephanie Plumb series is wonderful.  I have laughed out loud while reading this series.  If you have not read her books you might want to start.  I think she is on books 16 or 17.  I've lost count.  I do need to caution you.  If you do not care for bad language then you might not care for this series.  If you click on Janet Evanovich's name it will take you to her website.

My five favorite books are:

1) A Walk to Remember - Nicholas Sparks
2) The Note Book - Nicholas Sparks
3) The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks
4) Stephanie Plumb Series - Janet Evanovich
5) Any book written by Nora Roberts/JD Robb

Don't get me wrong I will read just about any book.  I'm always looking for a good author to read.  If you have any suggestion on books I should read or authors I should look into please let me know in the comments below.
I hope you have a Happy Friday and a wonderful and safe weekend.

Jackie

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Happiness is......

I woke up in a really good mood again this morning.  It is amazing to me how much my back affects my mood.  I don't really notice it until I've had relief and am back at my normal pain level.

On my drive into work I had a mini concert with Blake Shelton.  Oh how I love to listen to that man sing.  I was never happier for a person then when he and Miranda Lambert got married.  He is a mess and I wish them nothing but the best.  The Junk Gypsy 's put on Blake and Miranda's wedding and out did themselves.  If you click on the Junk Gypsy's name it will take you to the blog and pictures. It was so eclectic and original and just beautiful.

What do you do in the mornings? Do you have anything that puts you in a really good mood?

Yesterday a temp agency brought me a cookie cake that I waited to put out today to share with the crew.  World Wellness came by and gave a free 10 minute massage to anyone who wanted one. As you can see I have a tough work life.  The only thing that was hard about it was getting people to sign up.  To be honest it surprised me.  This isn't just some random massage people coming in.  This place has a chiropractic facility as well as nutritionist.  They take care of the entire body. It is their choice so I will respect their decision. The lady doing the massage said my back was so tight it felt like a brick.  This is a good day so I wonder what it felt like over the last two weeks.

To get the evening off to a good start, I had another Blake Shelton concert on my way home from work. I get home and you will never guess what my husband is doing. Watching the Rangers.  Shocking I know.  It is the playoffs so I can't even pick on him about it. The game was delayed so I'm not sure what time it will  be over. When I walked in from work Michael said Detroit got to runs so I needed to go back to work.

Well I am going to get this posted before I get distracted and forget. Hope you have a fabulous Thursday.

Jackie

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tonight Tonight

When I woke up this morning I was feeling great. I hopped in my truck to come to work and heard my favorite song (of the moment) Tonight Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae. It is such a fun upbeat song it always puts me in a really great mood. With a morning like that I knew it was going to be a great day.

Our family is very eclectic when it comes to music. We listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers, ACDC, and The Beatles, the Carpenters as well as the old and new country music. I know quite a few people that do not like country music and that is OK. What can I say, in the end I'm a Texas girl. About the only thing my husband and I don't listen to is R&B and Rap. Well we do like 80's rap and some of Eminem stuff.


My guys will go into our "office" and pull up iTunes and hit random and play a game they made up. You have to guess the name of the song, the person, group or band and the name of the album. I think the first two are one point each and the name of the album is like 5 points. They will play this for hours. Our computer does not even have our full collection of music on it. I would guess we have close to 800 CD’s. I have no idea what we have. We will be listening to the radio and I will say oh, I would love to have that CD and my husband will tell me we already have it. We have way too many CD's to keep track of.


The other thing our family really enjoys is watching movies. I think I've watched around 84 of the top 100 movies and that is because I like black and white films. I think I only beat my husband by 1 or 2 films. Blake did really well I think he has watched like 60 ish films. Michael and I started watching movies back when we started dating. We watched every film that was out from 1986 until 1990 when we got married. My dad would try to rent a film for me and would get so angry because I had already watched it with Michael. I finally had to say I hadn't watched something just to make him happy. We have quite a few movies as well but I think it's less than 100 DVDs.


My guys love sports as well. I knew I was in trouble when Blake was watching bowling at a young age that I didn't have a prayer. I already knew my husband was a sports addict from when we started dating. So while they watch sports I try to read a book. It’s very hard to do that when you hear the crowd going crazy. I end up watching whatever is on TV the majority of the time. Because you know you don't ask questions during a game! Thank God for instant replay. I prefer watching sports in person. I love the atmosphere and the roar of the crowd. My favorite sport to watch is any sport Blake is playing in. If Blake isn't playing then I love the art of baseball, the fast pace of basketball and the hard hits and phenomenal catches of football. Oddly I'm the one who ends up wanting to read whatever sports figure's novel that comes out. By the way Josh Hamilton's book is really good. Joe Torre's book was good. It's seems a bit repetitive to me.


What do you and your family enjoys doing together?


Jackie





Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Monday wasn't so bad

I woke up at 4 AM Monday morning.  I tried everything I could think of to get to sleep. I even finished the first book of the trilogy I started. I expected to be falling asleep at my desk. Suprisingly it did not.

When I walked into work one of the guys who had been on vacation the previous week in Hawaii surprised me with a little pill box.  I opened it up and it said it can be used as a pill box or an portable ash tray. haha  How thoughtful is that?  These are the kind of people I work with.  Always doing kind things.  Big and small.  Paul is always thoughtful asking how my back is doing.  He and his wife are very sweet people. The rest of the work day was pretty uneventful.

When I got home the guys were watching the Texas Ranger Vs. Detroit Tiger playoff game.  I took care of feeding my dad and emptying his urinals and anything else he needed done.

Now I am relaxing and trying to fill you in on my oh so exciting day. Except Maverick keeps getting in between me and my laptop.  She hates it when I have the laptop out or when I'm trying to read a book.  It a cue for her to come and make me give her more attention.  She isn't spoiled at all! haha

If you took the time to go to VYou and look me up I would like to apologise for not having updated my account as I said I would on Saturday.  I just didn't feel up to it.  Even if you don't check me out on there you should see if there is a Youtuber or blogger on there you like.  You might be able to get a question answered that way if you have not had luck in the comments or via e-mail.

Just to update you on the game Neli Cruz of the Texas Rangers got a walk off grand slam in the 11th inning to win game 2. This is the first walk off grand slam in post season history.  That make the Rangers 2 for 2.  They need 2 more games to go back to the World Series.  Lets go Rangers!

Well I'm exhausted from being up early so I'm going to close for now.  I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

Jackie

Monday, October 10, 2011

Over the weekend

I honestly didn't do very much this weekend.  My back was still out so my husband insisted I stay in bed and relax as much as possible.  See I told you I was spoiled. 

Michael still went to Poteau to see Blake's last fall ball home game.  He didn't leave until after the UT vs. OU game.  Man was that a beating! 

Michael  made sure dad was set up so I didn't have to do anything for the rest of the afternoon or evening.

When I woke up Sunday I checked on dad and he was asleep.  When he woke up I got him set up for the the day.   Later I got him set up for the rest of the evening.

The most exciting thing I did was watch Step it up 3.  It's not the best movie in the world but I really enjoy watching people dance like that.  I wish I could be I've never have been THAT limber.

Hopefully I will have something a little more interesting for you for the rest of the week.

Happy Monday!
Jackie

Saturday, October 8, 2011

VYou

Have you heard of a site call VYou?  If you save it to your favorites it will save as conversation video.  The concept is for you to develop one on one relationships with people you find interesting or if you have something in common with a given person.  Once you find a person you are interested in you ask them a question  on their site and they reply via video. If you set up an account people will ask you a question and you answer via video.  The cool thing is if  go on someones site you can go back and listen to an answer to any question asked.  You click on the question and the video reply will play.

If you are interested in going on Youtube this is a good way to get comfortable filming yourself.

I have enjoyed being part of the VYou community.  I have not been on in a while because I feel like I need to look presentable when I am filming myself.  I'm hoping to catch up on my questions and answers tomorrow or Sunday. 

If you have time you might check out the  VYou site.  Feel free to ask me any questions.  My user name on VYou is JackieHall.

Be sure to come back and let me know what you think about the VYou site.

Have a great Saturday!

Jackie

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Sisters


My mom was the oldest of seven kids. This is the order the kids were born.  Arna, Chuck, Sandy, Linda, Debby, Danny and Dianne. 


Left to Right: Sandy, Linda, Debby and Dianne.  My mom passed away Nov. 17, 2007.

Left to Right: Dianne, Linda and Arna My mom. 
This was the last picture taken of my mom before she passed away.

The sisters have always been very close.  Not that they don't have their issues because believe me they do.  They are after all siblings.  One will call another one and before you know it they have conferenced called the others. What they talk about is beyond me but let me tell you they can chat with the best of them. 

It is now on the sisters to keep the Yoho family going. Keeping the family as close as it was when Granny and Grandpa Yoho were alive is very hard.  With all of the grand kids grown up and so many of us having our own kids it is almost impossible to get everyone together on any given day. 

Aunt Linda and her husband Dan have had a swimming pool in stalled along with a cabana, play ground, basketball court and zip line.  They also have a fruit tree orchard and a walking path that is a memorial for loved ones that have passed away.  It is gorgeous.  Every year they add a little something to it. For the last few years they have been throwing a 4th of July party as a family reunion. They always go above and beyond.  They provide the meat and the rest of the gang brings the sides and deserts as well as your own drink.  We have all really enjoyed ourselves.

When my mom passed away my aunts were there for my sister and I.  I don't know what we would have done without them.  They have also been there for my dad. We are blessed beyond measure to have the family we do.  I wish everyone of you has as wonderful of a family as we do.

Have a wonderful Friday!
Jackie






Thursday, October 6, 2011

Disappointed

I'm so disappointed right now.  Since the trip last weekend my back as been bothering me.  I'm still able to walk but, I have to walk slowly.  If I get froggy and move a little to fast it catches and send a spasms down my leg and up my back.  That is with the stimulator on and with me taking the medication and ice hot on.

Michael came into the room last night and said that Blake's last fall home game was this Sunday.  He wants to go back up there this weekend.  With the way my back is feeling right now there is no way I can even think about going. This disappoints me so badly.  I always want to take any chance I can to see Blake.  I can't risk not being able to walk and missing work. I'm still negative 35 hours on vacation time from when I was out at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.

I have to mention I work for the most incredible people.  They kept paying me even when I was out of vacation time.  They allow me to take time off when my dad needs to be taken to the Dr. that is 3 hours away so it takes all day.  They also let me take off whenever I need to for Blake or when ever I need.  I normally try to make the time up because I don't want to take advantage of them or the company.

Even though I can't go I don't feel it's fair to make Michael stay home.  So, I'm encouraging him to go without me.  It stinks but, we want Blake to know he has our support.  Maybe we can Skype.  It's not the same and I won't get a hug from him but, it's better than nothing.

What would you do if you were fact with going to see your son and possibly not being able to walk after or staying home and possibly visiting him on Skype?

Hope you have a wonderfu Thursday.

Jackie

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wild West Casserole - My guys favorite meal

Wild West Casserole is one of my husband and son's favorite meals.  I learned how to make it back in high school when Michael and I first started dating.  It is very easy to make and doesn't take much time. It is not the healthiest of meals but as I've said my guys love it.

The ingredients you will need

1 pound ground beef (or turkey meat)
1 can tomato soup
1 large can of ranch style beans
1 small onion (optional - my guys do not like onion so I don't use it)
1 large bag of Frito's
1 large bag of cheddar cheese
salt, pepper, garlic to taste

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Brown the hamburger meat.  Add salt, pepper and garlic to taste and chop up the onion and cook until clear with the ground meat. Drain the grease.  Add the soup and beans to the ground meat and cook until warm.  Get a cake pan.  Pour half of the Frito's on the bottom, cover with cheddar, pour in meat, soup, bean mixture, add cheddar on top of that, put the remaining Frito's on top of the cheddar and the put a final layer of cheddar on top.  Place in the oven and let cook for approximately 15 minutes or until the cheese in melted and is slightly golden on top.

I think this is best served hot.  I don't care for the left overs but my guys love it either way.  Not that we really have much left over. 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Bad back

One of the things I was worried about this weekend and so much travel is because I have a bad back.  I have five herniated disc's. Three herniated disc's in my lower back and two in my neck. I woke up early Sunday morning and was barely able to walk.  I had to take my medication and turn on my stimulator and by the time I got up I was doing quite a bit better. 

When I delivered Blake is when I pushed the vertebra out of my neck.  I felt it pop out.  I had toxemia and high blood pressure and they were giving me medication so I wouldn't have seizures.  I've been having problems with my neck since then.  It used to be just on the right side but now the pain goes down both arms and my pinkie, ring finger and thumb on both hands get numb.  Along with pain in my neck, shoulders and elbows.

I worked at a daycare starting before my Senior year of high school until I graduated.  Then when I got married I worked at a bank after about of year in the general office position I worked in the records department.  After lifting so many heavy things my back started bothering me.  I remember onetime my boss brought in water balloons and I jumped up to get out of the way and when I landed my disc slipped and I dropped to the ground.  Thank God it was a Friday so I had the weekend to recover.  The stinky thing was I had a stick shift and had to drive with my back and neck out.  That was not fun!

The first time my back went out so back that I couldn't walk was after my brother passed away.  I noticed I was dragging my leg but just thought rest would help.  I went to bed right after work one night then got up to get something out of the kitchen and my back went in to a spasms so back I was screaming and immediately dropped to the ground.  I tried for a while to get up but couldn't.  We called my Dr's office and the person on call said the ER wouldn't do anything about it.  So I was on my kitchen floor from ten PM until six thirty am when I finally allowed my husband to call the paramedics.  I was out of work for about a month.  I took pain pills, muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory and when I was able to get up a move a bit I started physical therapy.

The next time my back went out was after my grandpa and cousin passed away.  I think I was out of work for at least a month. again I was on pain pills, muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory and when I was able to get up a move a bit I started physical therapy.

I've been down a week hear and there as the times have gone on.  But this last time I was down  I was in a wheel chair then down where I couldn't walk from October of 2009 and didn't get back to work until mid January 2010.  And then it started out part time.  Even after I came back in January I still had problems walking.  I had to use a walker that has wheels and a seat.  I used it like a wheel chair but would use my legs to move it so they wouldn't get weak. I wasn't able to walk normally again until April of 2010.
 
My back Dr.  ended up installing a stimulator in my back.  It feels like a message.  If you hit the wrong program or set it to high it can give you quite a jolt. What the stimulator does is block the pain in my lower back.  It doesn't take all the pain away.  It just makes it bearable. I  have several different programs I can chose from depending on where I am hurting and how bad I am hurting.
 
The stinky thing is I am still having to take medication on a daily basis.  I don't like it but, I have to work so we can meet our bills.  Michael is awesome. He does all he can around the house so that I don't throw my back out.  I couldn't have asked for a better husband.  He spoils me rotten and is beyond patient when I am hurting.  I honestly don't know what I would do without him.
 
I sure was thankful when I woke up Monday morning with the normal pain and was able to walk.  I never know after a trip how my back and neck will respond. If it wasn't for the medication and the stimulator I think I would have ended up on disability and at forty that would have stunk!  I'm way to young to be confined at home.
 
Do any of you suffer from some kind of pain or illness?
 
Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!
 
Jackie

Monday, October 3, 2011

Were back from Poteau

Michael and I both left work early in order to get on the road a little early to beat traffic.  Before we could get on the road we had to get packed, fill up the truck with gas and get dad something to nibble on. My sister came to stay with our dad. She was not able to get there until late because her oldest son Justin and his son Brody came up as a surprise for dad.  Justin had to work late so it put them in Keller later the than expected.
We finally pulled into Poteau at 8 PM.  Blake met us at the hotel so we could go to dinner.  The first place we went was closed so we ended up at Mazzio's.  After we finished dinner we went  back to the hotel and just relaxed, visited with one another and watched TV.  Blake had to be back at the dorm by 11 PM for curfew.

Saturday morning we got up way earlier then I would have liked to but, it was worth it knowing I would get to see Blake again. We hop in the truck fill up with gas again and drive another 90 miles to Clarksville, Arkansas.  The most exciting thing to happen on the drive was Michael poking a hole in his huge fountain drink and trying to keep it from spilling all over until we could get stopped.  When Michael got back in the truck he had another fountain drink some M&M’s for him and Bit of Honey for me.  We start going and he drops an M&M.  I wish you would have been there to see his reaction to that.  To say he wasn’t happy is putting it mildly. I just laughed at him.
We make it to Clarksville and watch baseball from 12 PM until 6 PM.  The Vikings won 2 out of the 3 games.  All of the boys had an opportunity to play.  It was a very long day of baseball.  The weather was beautiful.  It was sunny with a nice cool breeze.  We couldn’t have asked for a better day.   I was very thankful for the shade that we had.  In my younger days I would have stayed out in the sun.  I guess I’ve learned in my old age.

Blake rode the bus back with the team.  Michael and I stopped to eat at Longhorn Steak House.  It was wonderful.  We didn’t get back to the hotel until 9PM.  Blake came to the hotel after he took a shower and got cleaned up.  We got to see the ending of the Ranger game and the Longhorn game.  They both won so the boys were happy campers.  Blake hasn’t gotten to watch sports very much since he has been in Poteau.  So we watched ESPN after the Ranger and Longhorn games were over and talked sports.  Well the guys did.  I put in my 2 cents on occasion.
Sunday we slept in until 10 AM.  We got up and took Blake to brunch.  We were going to do his laundry with him however, when we got to the laundry mat he realized he forgot his laundry detergent.  Laundry detergent is kind of key if you want to have clean clothes. So we headed to Wal-Mart to get the few things he needed.  When we were leaving there was a guy around 20 going in without a shirt on.  When we got in the car Michael surprised us with his shirt off.  We were cracking up.  He is a nut.  As soon as we saw him he hurried up and put his shirt back on.  You never know what my husband is going to do.  He is so funny. 

We originally planned on leaving Poteau around 3PM but ended up leaving around 1 instead.  Blake was going to go to Fort Smith with a friend and we had a long drive home. 
On the drive home I up loaded pictures I had taken this weekend.  I also passed the time reading a new book I picked up called Forever Faithful the complete trilogy by Karen Kingsbury.  I will let you know how it is when I finish reading it.  I also got some sleep.

We finally got home around 6 PM.  We unpacked and then went to the grocery store to get dad all the stuff he would need for the week.

It was a busy weekend but we really enjoyed ourselves.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well.

Jackie

Sunday, October 2, 2011

A to Z of Me

I found this on Blended so Splendid and thought it would be a great way for you to get to know me a little better.  Most likely more information then you wanted to know. ;-)

A to Z of ME!


Note: I borrowed this idea from: Blended so Splendid

A. Age: 40
B. Bed size: Queen. However I would love a King.

C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning I can't walk after I finish.

D. Dogs: 2 Maverick and Buddy
E. Essential start to your day: Dr. Pepper

F. Favorite color: Blue
G. Gold or Silver: Both
H. Height: 5'4 1/2"
I. Instruments you play: Clarinet (well I used to play it don't think I can anymore)

J. Job title: Office Manager

K. Kids: One almost 20 Michael Blake Hall
L. Live: Keller, Texas
M. Mother’s name: Yoho (oops just read this and that was mom maiden name.  Her name is Arna)
N. Nicknames: Jackie (my real name is Jacqueline) Jack, Cracker Jack, Shackie (a combination of my sisters and my name by my grandpa)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Well I had toxemia so I was in about a week then was let out for a few days over Thanksgiving and then went back the following Friday and had Blake.
P. Pet peeves: Rude people

Q. Quote from a movie: Bull Durham ( I didn't remember all of this I had to look it up.)

Crash Davis: Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the p***y, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: One brother Ronnie, One sister Shannon

T. This one is missing, made up by BSS... Tea or Coffee: Tea.
U. Underwear: Yes
V. Vegetable you hate: Lima Beans, Peas
W. What makes you run late: I'm not a morning person
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Back
Y. Yummy food that you make: Wild West Casserole or baked goods

Z. Zoo animal: Lions

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday!

Jackie

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Survivor: South Pacific

We have been watching Survivor from the first episode. What is it 20 some odd seasons ago.  We love it. The first season we would be a some practice for Blake anxiously awaiting for it to end so we could hurry up and get to the house and see what was going on. Over time the episodes have gotten little predictable.  On occasion you will have some craziness happen.  That is what keeps you coming back for more.

This year they had two returning players.  Ozzy and Coach.  Both have played two other times.  But neither have won the million dollars.

This season I was expecting the same old Coach.  We are three shows in and he hasn't been his normal out spoken wacko self.  He has finally grown up some what or they are just not showing that part of the show.  He seems like he is trying another approach this season. Heck, it's his 3rd time to play he should have learned something.

Ozzy is my favorite.  I have always loved Ozzy and rooted for him each time he has played.  He knows what he is doing.  And works his tail off around camp.  It always blows me away to seem him climbing up a coconut tree like it's walking on the ground.  I hope he goes all the way. 

Brandon Hantz is Russel Hantz nephew.  Russel was on the show a couple of times.  Oh my word he was rotten but he made the show worth watching.  Russel is one of those players you love to hate.  Brandon keeps saying he is nothing like his uncle.  However, Brandon has already started lying to try and get his way and was busted for it.   I don't trust him.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out with him.

The rest of the cast hasn't jumped out at me.  Maybe a few players ever now and then but two have already gone to redemption island.  One lost the redemption island challenge.  I don't want to say their names just in case you have the show recorded and have not gotten to watch it yet.

Do you like Survivor? Do you watch Survivor?  If you do who is your favorite player and why?

Have a great day!

Jackie