Monday, April 30, 2012

Visiting with Trish and her family

Friday night we left town to spend the night with Trish, Clint and their two boys Derek and Davis. When we got there Aunt Peggy and Uncle Vernon were there as well.  What a nice surprise. We do not get to visit with any of them enough.  We missed watching the boys play ball on Friday night.

Saturday we got up and while Davis and Michael were having breakfast Michael was giving Davis a hard time.  At one point Davis looks up at Michael and tells him "I don't know what language you are speaking." You have to know Davis.  He will keep you laughing.  Trisha is always posting things Davis says on facebook.  

We were at the baseball field by 8:30 AM to watch Derek play ball. It got a bit cold with the wind blowing like crazy.  By the time that game ended it started warming up a bit.  Right after that game we were headed to the flag football field to watch Derek play one game of flag football and Davis play two games. We had a ball watching the boys play.  It sure brought back some great memories of when Blake was that age.

I'm not sure what it is about being at ball games but, I always seem to come away with some strange sun burns.

After the games we headed back to Trish and Clint's house and hung out and visited with everyone until after 7. Trish was having some red wine and I gave it a try.  I actually liked it. I only had half a glass but, it was good. I was actually surprised.  Normally I don't care for wine.

Sunday I woke up about 3 am and couldn't sleep so I started watching a movie and fell asleep and slept and slept and slept.  When I woke up of course my back was out so I didn't get anything done.  When I woke up this morning it was feeling better. 

Better or not we are heading to Austin on Friday night because we have tickets to Tom Petty on Saturday.  We will be staying with Ty and Alison.  Ty is Trisha's brother and Peggy's son.  For some reason we always seem to visit them around the same time.  Not sure how that works out like that. But we sure enjoy seeing all of them.  We need to make it a point to see them all more often.

The weekend after that my back better be well because I head to Belton on that Friday night and Saturday I have a 1 year old birthday party to attend, a dance recital and a Mayor party to go to.  My uncle Dan is in the Killeen Mayoral election.  I hope he gets voted in office.  He is a licenced CPA as well as owns his own law office. I think Dan will be a wonderful Mayor.  I sure wish he was Keller's Mayor.

Hope you all had a good weekend and a wonderful Monday.

Jackie

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Updating the house bit by bit

When we moved into our home back in 1995 we were in love with all of the blue carpeting we had put in.  I was 24 and had no idea what I was doing. 17 years and 4 dogs later the blue carpet was a HUGE mistake! HUGE!!  We have been longing for hardwood laminate for close to 12 years and last Friday it was finally installed.  We still have the blue carpet in the bed rooms and the original linoleum in the two bathrooms but the majority of our home is now nice and new. ahhhhhhhhhh.

For years we have been to embarrassed to have people over because the dogs have ruined the carpet.  When my dad's dog got here it just made it that much worse. It's maddening when you let the dogs out and they run around out there then come in and do their business.  I refuse to pay good money for nice area rugs until the dogs get it in their head they will go outside or be in trouble.  Any suggestions?



This is just after they installed the flooring.  I have obviously swept and mopped since.  We had to go out and buy a new micro fiber broom and micro fiber mop.  I just used hot water.  Because at the time I wasn't sure what to use to clean it.  I have since spoken to Amy and she has told me what is best to use. The funny thing is I almost picked up that exact product when I bought the broom and mop.  Oh well.

Once we get everything back in order I will put up more pictures. By the way.  See that entertainment center.  Yea, it was a you know what to move.  It just about came apart.  I didn't remember hardwood holding in the cold. But, it's now nice and cool in the kitchen and living area.

It has been funny watching the dogs slip and slide on the flooring.  I feel so bad for them when they try to jump up on things or try to get back down.  It's like watching Bambi on ice. Funny but a little sad.  I think they are finding their footing.  Maybe I can get some funny video's to show you guys.

I hope all of you had a good weekend and a great Tuesday.

Jackie

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Missing Myra

Do you ever have one of those days where you start thinking of an old friend and missing all of the fun things you did when you were young?  Well today is one of those for me.  I would love to go back for a week and visit with one of my best friends since childhood Myra. days

Myra's mom and my mom were best friends since high school. Sandy's entire family knew my mom's entire family.  I didn't get to meet Myra until we were in 6th grade.  We were instant friends. Before we moved back to Copperas Cove I would go and spend weeks at a time with Myra and her mom.  They lived right next door to Myra's grandma and grandpa. 





I got to go on a couple of family trips to Arkansas and it was a blast!  One year we saw a guy that looked exactly like the guy in the Shasta commercial.  He had the most beautiful blue eyes you have ever seen.  Or from what I remember anyway.  That was many years ago.  I think I was 14 at the time.

I can remember laying in front of the TV eating roman noodles. Or dancing to Hey Mickey or the sound track from Footloose.  We would go on walks with our moms.  But, before we got started we always had to stop at 7/11 to get snacks and a big gulp.  Now that I think about it, that kind of defeated the purpose.  We would tease our mom's for being nosy Nell's because as we walked by houses they would try to peak into every house.  We all had so much fun laughing and cutting up.  We would tease the moms for going so slow.  One time when we got back from our walk my mom had a snail on her leg!  Now THAT is slow.  Oh my goodness she never did live that down.

Myra was an only child. I was the youngest of 3. I only had one child.  Myra ended up with 3.  We both have boys. Myra is 11 days younger then me.  My birthday is 2/2/71, Myra's birthday is 2/13/71.  Don't think she hasn't held that over my head all of these years. ha ha



Myra lives in Kansas.  I have not really gotten to visit her in years.  It has been several years since I have gotten to see her.  When she comes to Texas she is heading to Copperas Cove.  That is three hours from where I live.  She just came for a visit and we had talked about getting together at one point.  It just never worked out.  Maybe I should plan a trip up to visit her and her boys.  The very first quilt I ever made was for her oldest son.  That's been a few years.





I used the machine to sew everything except the actual quilting part.  I hand quilted every square. I didn't do anything fancy.  I was pleased how it turned out.

I wish I had some photo's of us growing up.  They are somewhere in my closet or in Belton stuck in storage.

I guess it's time to get back to reality. Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

Jackie


Monday, April 16, 2012

Weekend trip

We were headed to Poteau to see Blake again.  I had no idea tornadoes were flying around until Stacy texted me to see if they were near Blake.  Fortunately he lives really far east in Oklahoma right next to Arkansas.  Unfortunately, I have family and friends that live in Norman.  My friend Nolita had her three kids in her car and their windshield was hit with a trampoline. I was trying to email Nolita on my phone but it wasn't cooperating.  I finally pulled up her blog and read that they were safe. I have not heard back from my brothers son and his ex wife to see if they are OK. We didn't really have an opportunity to watch TV so I don't know anything other than what was in Nolita's blog.

We brought Blake's girlfriend, Andrea, up to see him this trip. We were hoping we would get to see Blake on Friday night.  But, when we got into town it was 11:30 and the baseball team had a curfew of 11 on the night before a game.  We considered just stopping long enough to get a hug but, the coach had just left and he was still going around other dorms and it just wasn't worth getting into trouble over. We all had a nice time this weekend. The kids were gracious enough to hang out with the old folks and have dinner and go and see a movie with us after the games on Saturday. We went to see the Cabin in the woods.  Michael and Blake liked it. Andrea and I thought it was weird.  After the movie Michael and I were dropped off at the hotel around 12:30 so the kids could hang out for a bit.  Sunday we made a quick trip to Wal-Mart then, had lunch and started the long trip home. It is always bitter sweet seeing Blake.  It just never seems like there is enough time. I believe he will be heading back to Texas around May 18th. That day can't get here fast enough for any of us.

I took my camera on the trip but, never got it out to take pictures.  I completely forgot to bring it to the game. I wanted to take a picture of the ducks a couple of the guys have at their dorm.  They bought them and named them Bonnie and Clyde. Since I didn't take any pictures, I have nothing to show for the weekend but, a sore back and a happy/sad heart.  Happy we got to we our baby but, sad because we had to leave him behind once again.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and an even better Monday.

Jackie


Friday, April 13, 2012

Duck Dynasty are you in?



I have to admit something that is kind of embarrassing.  I admitted it in a comment on Big Mama's blog now it's time to come clean with you. I LOVE the new reality show Duck Dynasty. There has not been an episode that my husband and I have not had a good laugh. Michael always records the show so we watch 2 episodes back to back. I told Michael last night that I think it is one of the best shows on TV right now. I don't think I've ever heard them cuss and I've never seen them take a drink of alcohol well, until last night when they were toasting the 40 years they are in business. Phil is the father and the one that started the business.  Is is the one on the far left hand side next to Kay his wife. Will the one with no sleeves is the CEO of the business and is the idea man of the company. Will, as far as I know, turned the mom and pop shop into the multi million dollar company it is today. the older guy next to Will is Uncle Si. He loves sweet tea and is a nut! The things he comes up with are hysterical. They all think he is crazy but for some reason go along with his crazy ideas and then make fun of him when they do not work. Next to Si is Jase, he is the one that builds the duck calls and comes up with new and improved sounds.  Next to him is Korie.  Korie is married to Will.  This is just a handful of the Robertson family.  Phil and Kay had four boys who all went to college. They are a very close nit family and it's nice to see.  I love at the end of every show when they sit down to eat Phil says a prayer over the meal before they all dig into the squirl brains or whatever "delicacy" Kay has created.

NOTE: The photo above is not my photo. I got this photo off of A&Etv.com

Hi, I'm Jackie and I'm addicted to the Duck Dynasty.
Please tell me there is someone else out there that is as addited to this show as I am.

Have a great weekend!
Jackie

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Books VS. Movies

I can see why the Hunger Game books are popular.  My friend let me borrow her trilogy.  I have read the first two chapters of the first book and am hooked.  It takes a minute to get acclimated with the new terminology but, it works. I am really looking forward to see how everything turns out.  Amy says that the books are an easy read.  That's perfect for settling into bed and relaxing into a good story. I am one the weird people that like to read books then go and see the movie, when possible.  It doesn't always work out.  Once I finish the books I will watch the movie and see how it compares.

Have any of you read the Hunger Games? Have you watched the Hunger Games movie?  If you have done both, what did you like better, the books or the movie?

I read the Twilight saga.  They were not the best written books in the world but, it was entertaining.  It's amazing that the original book came to her in a dream.  I read all four books then re-read the first book just before we went to see the first movie. I was disappointed.  But everyone else seemed to enjoy it.  I have not watched any of the other movies.  Amy said she will let me borrow her DVDs.  She has all of them.  I'm sure I will take her up on the offer. It is going drive me crazy until I watch all the movies.  Since it's been a while since I've read the books maybe they will get a better review.

One of my favorite movies is P.S. I love you. Michael got me that movie for Christmas the year my mom passed away. I literally watched that movie every night for over a month. I watched it so much my husband can't stand it anymore.  I have the CD from the movie and I bought the book a few months after I watched the movie.  The movie could not have been more different from the book. I still love the book and is one of the few books I have read many times.  When I read the book or watch the movie it reminds me to be kinder to my husband.  You just never know when something could happen to the one(s) you love. I'm nice until, you know, he ticks me off! ha ha  I have a feeling I would have HATED the movie had I read the book first. So I am thankful I did not.

I think I am more forgiving of a movie straying pretty far from the book if I watch the movie first then read the book.

I heard the movie of My Sisters Keeper is completely different then the book.  After the Hunger Games, I might have to find that book and see just how different they are.

Do you prefer to read the book then watch the movie OR watch the movie and then read the book?  Or do you hate reading and just watch movies or hate movies and just read?

Have a wonderful day!
Jackie



Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter 2012

Before I get started I would like to ask for prayer for my best friend Stacy.  The Dr.'s found a cyst in her abdomen about the size of a grapefruit. That is all I know at this point and will keep you posted on it as I know about it.  Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers.

Michael left to go see Blake after work on Thursday.  He was one of the fortunate people who had Good Friday off.  Our company does not close for Good Friday. I didn't feel I should take Friday off because I am still negative on my PTO due to my back surgery's and from when my dad was living with us and I would need to take time off to take him to the Dr. or when he was in the hospital.  I'm blessed enough that my firm kept paying me while I was out.  They would have paid for Friday as well but, I just don't want to take advantage of their generosity. The last time I was out I still got my forty hours in.  Even though Brian said not to worry about it.  Most likely that was way to much detail. Sorry.

Thursday, on my way home from work I stopped and bought various foods so I wouldn't have to leave after I got home on Friday night.  Yes, I'm a lazy bones. After work on Friday I stopped by Family Video and picked up some movies. I made crab dip when I got home on Friday night so that it had time to get all the flavors to mix together. I also mixed up a batch of ranch dip. My other Best Friend Amy was coming over on Saturday to have a little bit of girls time and I wanted to make sure we had plenty to snack on while we watch a movie or played games.  Amy called before she came over because my God daughter Lou Lou (really it's Olivia but I've called her Lou Lou since she was born... don't ask me why) wanted to come with her to hang out. So that was an added bonus.  I whipped up a batch of chicken and dumplings for a late lunch or early dinner.  The girls finally got there and we chatted as I finished making the chicken and dumplings.  Lou Lou wanted to watch 50/50.  It is a great movie by the way. We laughed and cried through the entire movie. After we watched 50/50 we decided to play a few rounds of Rummy Cube.  If you have not played that game you need to.  It's addicting. I ended up winning the first two rounds and Lou Lou won the final round.  By then both Amy and I were hurting so we went to lay down and watch Our Idiot Brother.  They didn't get very far into the movie because it was getting late and Amy's husband was off and she wanted to spend some time with him.  It's not often he gets a weekend off so I totally understood.  We had a great time laughing and being silly.

Sunday it was storming pretty bad and that makes for great sleeping weather.  For some reason on Saturday night I had a hard time sleeping.  I felt uneasy with Michael gone. I didn't get to sleep until 4AM or after. So having the rain made is nice and relaxing.  Well, except for when the thunder boomed and Buddy would freak out and start barking.  Once he realized it wasn't coming for us he calmed down and curled up beside me and went to sleep. It was a very weird Easter.  Not seeing family until Michael got home that evening.  After he watched a couple of shows he decided to take a "quick" nap at 6PM at night. Yeah, he didn't wake up.  He was talking in his sleep again and moving all around but I couldn't understand what on earth he was saying. Hopefully he will give me something funny to write about soon.

It's nice to be able to hang out with your best friend.  I'm blessed to have two life long friends.  Amy and I have been best friends since I was 20. Stacy and I have been best friends since we were 7. It's not often a person is blessed enough to have a life long friend much less two.  Thank you both for being there for me when I needed you most.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Jackie

Friday, April 6, 2012

I WON!

Sorry this is so late but, I took down my original post because I found out the leader of the project was keep the majority of the donations and I don't want anyone to get ripped off.

So, remember when I told you I did a bracket for the March madness tournament with some people in my office?  Well I actually won the whole thing.  When I sent a scan of my bracket to my son and husband the heading said don't laugh.  I won a whopping $20.  As I mentioned before I didn't expect to win. I thought I had blown my entire bracket the first weekend but, apparently I didn't.


I hope you have a wonderful Easter.

Jackie

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Oh the things Michael says. Part 1

My wonderful husband talks in his sleep. For instance Monday night I woke up and notice he had the sheet up around his shoulders and seemed like he was freezing. I looked and the cover was at the foot of the bed ready to fall on the floor. I get up and pull the covers up and cover him up. After I cover him he stirs and says "Oh, thank you babe, now I can run faster." I started laughing and then he really woke up so I told him and he he laughed.

Another time Michael was asleep and all of a sudden he kicked us leg up into to the covers. I didn't know what in the heck was going on.  When he woke up and I told him what he did his reply was "I do my own stunts."

This past weekend was the Mega Million drawing. Several of the people at Michael's office got together and bought tickets.  Today one of the girls in the office noticed Michael had a band aid about three inches from his elbow and asked what happened to his arm. Michael replied "when I found out about losing the Mega Million drawing I went to slip my wrist and missed.".

One time when Michael and I went out on a date the little waitress came up and asked us what we would like to drink and then started naming various adult beverages.  Michael looked at her and said "I'm sorry, she is an alcoholic and isn't allowed to have anything like that to drink." The poor girl didn't know where to put herself. At the end of dinner he asked for a quarter to call his wife because he needed to let her know he would be getting home late. He is a nut.

I can go on and on but will stop f.or now. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday.

Jackie

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The entryway before and after

Slowly but surely our home is coming back together. For years we have been busy going from work to ball games and life.  Now that Blake is off to college and dad has passed away it has left us with time on our hands.  Time we are not used to having. It's kind of nice but strange. The up side is it has given us an opportunity to start setting goals and achieving them.

Here are a few different angels of the before shots. Let me apologies in advance for the pictures.  I couldn't get a very good angel on any of the shots due to the hall being small.



  
The entry way wall started out with the large middle collage and the two smaller collages on either side.  As the years have gone on more photo's have been added and removed and it turned into a huge mess.
  
The pictures of the after shots aren't very good either.  It's hard to get the entire wall in one shot. I even tried to get a better shot but it didn't really work.





Let me know what you think.  Do you like the H at the top or do you think I should take it down?

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.

Jackie

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Working and Home

I have been working on a project at work that seems to be never ending. Finding the forms I need on the Internet has been a challenge to say the least. But, it's not the same old grind so it's kind of interesting.  It's funny how getting something accomplished can give you a since of pride. No matter how briefly that joy remains it does help you when you move on to the next task at hand.

I'm happy to say that this weekend Michael hung up the new frames we bought a while ago.  It was my fault that there was a delay. I was being lazy in choosing the photo's I wanted to put in the frames. We have a ton of pictures and I love old photo's as much a new photos.  I also want to make sure I display Michaels family as much as we display my family. I love his family.  I've basically been a part of his family since I was 15. Another thing I caught myself doing is putting loved ones that passed away in the frames. Considering both parents on either side have passed away and I have a brother that passed away not to mention grand parents.  Well you get the drift. We love and miss them all and it's a way to remember them.  I think it turned out nicely.  I will post the before and after photo's and you can tell me what you think. It was cute to watch Michael hang the frames.  He was really particular and it paid off.  He suggested we add the H that is framed above the photo's and it just sets it all off. Well, you will see what I'm talking about.

Right now I am in the process of trying to find a home for my granny Yoho's organ. You know the musical instrument not her actual organ. We just don't have the room and no one in my little family play's the organ.  I am giving my family until this Saturday to claim it but, after that it's either going to a church or to anyone willing to come get it.  If you live close and are interested in a used organ or know of someone or a church that would use it leave a comment or email me at jackiesuehall@gmail.com .  Granny has been gone since May of 2007 so I'm finally ready to let go.  The organ was such a peice of who she was that it will be sad to see it go.  I am thankful that I have the memories of her playing and all of us singing around it over the years I was growing up.  Those are cherished times.

Another reason we are needing to get rid of the organ is because we are planning on having hardwood/laminate flooring put in our living, dinning and kitchen area. Around 975 square feet.  We decided not to do the bed rooms, bathrooms or the tiny hall.  I would show you the before and after photo's but, I'm to embarrasses to take pictures of our carpet in the living area.  Lets just say the dogs have had their way with it.  We are to embarrasses to invite anyone over do to the carpets.  By May we should have beautiful flooring.  Michael has a friend that sales flooring.  After talking to him we have decided to we would much rather help a friend out then just give our money to Home Depot or Lowe's or any other place like that.

Our home is starting to be what it once was and that's a good feeling. Thank you for all of your hard work honey.  It's been noticed and greatly appriciated.  I love you!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday.

Jackie