Friday night

Christmas Eve and Christmas day were both a lot of fun, but we are glad that it is all over with for this year!

Christmas Eve at my brother-in-law's house was fun. Santa made his annual visit to the house, but we only had 3 small children there to enjoy it! Quite a few members of Walter's family have started staying home to spend Christmas Eve with their own families instead of driving into Baton Rouge 2 days in a row. Walter & I brought artichoke dip and enjoyed our evening with his family. And I pulled my hair back - whatcha think?

We decided to open our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve since Cameron was with his dad and would be coming back Christmas day, but didn't have much to open under the tree. He likes to save his money, so for the first time, he only asked for a couple of things, so we didn't buy much for him.


Walter & Cameron got me some Clinique make-up, a Clinique Happy perfume and lotion set, a set of everything I need to make Cosmopolitans, a shirt, a gift certificate to Cato and a gift certificate to Stage. Cameron & I got Walter a surround sound system, and several different tool type things that he wanted.

I picked Cameron up Christmas morning and he opened his gifts (mostly from family & friends). The cute shirt is from our friend Kimi and her family. He loved it! Thanks sista!!

Then we got ready to have Walter's family over for gumbo Christmas day. We had about 50 people show up and had a great time! Check out the presents once everyone got here! And we draw names! And here is the bird feeder that Walter made for one of his sisters.




Here are some cute pictures I took Christmas day:

Here are some pictures I got from my brother yesterday. My mom & step-dad went to Atlanta for Christmas to spend Christmas with my brother & his family.

This is my mom & Daphne

This is Daphne opening one of the gifts we sent!

And here are some pictures that my sister sent from their Christmas in Houston:

This is my 2 nephews and Elijah

And this is Elijah

And now, back to the real world! Walter & I dropped my car off at the shop today to try to fix whatever is wrong from my incident with the guard rail the day it snowed. The car is out of alignment and something about a caster being out of place! All I know is that my car is making odd noises and needs to be fixed. Hopefully, it will be ready tomorrow.

Walter & I went out to eat with Cathy & Brent tonight at Albasha and it was really good!! We thought about staying home and eating leftovers, but then we thought again!! We are all planning to go to a New Year's Eve party together and have been making plans for that. I am borrowing some clothes from Cathy since I don't have any fancy clothes and so I went and shopped in her closet before dinner! I found something cute, but I need to try it on and see how it looks on me.

JP has called several times lately and seems to be doing really well. My friend, Lesley, and I are going to visit him in Houston Jan. 10 & 11th! Cameron will be going with us and I am excited! We are going to stay at the same hotel as last time that is in a mall, so it should be fun! Plus we will get to see JP and he is very excited that we are coming.

The last thing I have to say is that I AM GOING ON A DIET!!! I can't fit in my clothes again! I have never tried the South Beach Diet, but I do great on Atkins and it is very similar, just a slight bit healthier, so I am going to try it. Anyone with me?? I need a support group!!!!!

I hope you have had a great Christmas!!

The Night Before Christmas Eve

Mama at Beloved Mama is having a contest! You should go and check it out!

I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas! I am quite sure I wont be back to blog before it's all over. We will finish getting ready for Walter's family to spend Christmas day at our house. We are cooking gumbo for our 2nd annual "Christmas on the Bayou!" We will also have a ham, a roast, and lots of appetizers and desserts that Walter's family will bring over. On Christmas Eve, we will go to his brother, Ed's house for his annual Christmas Eve party, complete with an appearance by Santa for the kids. I'll pick Cameron up Christmas morning, then Walter, Cameron, & I will open our gifts to each other. By noon, there will be 50+ people here to eat, drink, open presents, & be merry!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! I'll leave you with some pictures of our tree now that there are some presents under it! We still aren't finished wrapping all of them, but it's a start! I hope Santa is good to you!

2008

I wanted to spend some time thinking about 2008 and what has happened, good and bad, in my life this year, in no particular order:

• Met new friends/neighbors, Brent & Cathy, and have been inseparable ever since
• Started my 2nd year working with special education kids with behavior problems
• Accepted the challenge to work in the most difficult schools in our system
• Still have JP alive and well
• Visited JP and provided emotional and financial support
• Enjoyed relationships with Elizabeth and her boys
• Have been a good grandmother to my grandsons
• Lost 10 lbs.
• Gained 15 lbs.
• Saved 2 litters of kittens and 3 cats from homelessness
• Made my friends a priority and spent much quality time with them
• Handled some tough situations with Cameron and got through it all fine
• Helped 2 children get free braces
• Helped a family with Christmas
• Helped an adolescent group home with Christmas
• Enjoyed being Walter's wife
• Did not finish painting in our house
• Went on a cruise
• Spent time with my family and Walter's
• Was responsible financially
• Started a blog and met awesome blogger friends
• Reconnected with several old friends
• Participated in many training opportunities at work
• Went the extra mile for my job
• Visited my new niece in Atlanta
• Bought a Mustang convertible
• Voted

I'm sure there is more, but I just wanted to jot down some quick thoughts. What about you?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my day off today. I had my social work supervision this morning, so Walter rode with me to Baton Rouge, dropped me off for my 2 hour meeting, and went Christmas shopping until it was time to pick me up. Afterwards, we went to the Chinese Buffet for lunch. This afternoon, I finished cleaning our guest room, Cameron's room, and Cameron's bathroom, then did most of the laundry. I still have to clean the kitchen, living room, our room, and 2 bathrooms before Thursday. We are expecting 50 - 60 of my in-laws on Christmas day, so yeah, I'm trying to get things looking good!! Cameron would normally be coming home today, but decided to stay with his dad until Christmas day, since he would have been going back there Wednesday for Christmas Eve. I'm fine with whatever works for Cameron, plus it gives me more time to do things around the house.

Merry Christmas!!!

Sunday night

Amy at Escape into my Thoughts tagged me on this cool photo meme. Go to your pictures, choose the 4th folder and the 4th picture. So this is mine:

This is me & my sister, Donna, in Houston in 2001

And yes, I'm tagging YOU!!!

Well, we have had an eventful weekend. Friday night, some of my graduate school friends & I got together for dinner and our annual white elephant gift exchange. Things were a little different this year, because only 4 out of 6 of us were able to come. And one of the 4 didn't get there until late, so my friends, Becky & Judith and I exchanged gifts and had dinner, then waited for Kelly to get there. The gift I got is a cool Fleur de Lis bowl and some slippers. I love them!! One of my friends had some news that had us all in tears, so no pictures were taken. And the news is ok, just a life changing event that is about to happen, but I have been asked not to mention it just yet, so that will have to wait for another post.

Here is LSU's Christmas tree that is near the parade grounds on campus. I had to stop and take a picture when I saw it!

Then, Saturday night, Walter & I went to Brent & Cathy's Christmas party. They live on our street, so we were able to eat, drink, & be merry, and boy were we!!! It was a great party and we had so much fun! I took a million pictures, so I will post a few of them here for your entertainment. We also had a white elephant gift exchange there, but neither of us got anything too interesting.

This is Walter & I

Vicky, Wendy, Cathy, & I

I just love this picture! This is Gene & Cathy

Me & another neighbor, Judy

Me & Vicky

Cathy & Brent

Ok, and the highlight (or lowlight) of the party was Cheryl. She is my neighbor and former housekeeper that I fired several months ago. I haven't seen Cheryl since all that happened, so I figured it might be awkward, but fortunately, she got so drunk that she probably wont remember any of the awkwardness.

Today, I went out to the church where I have been working with the Youth Minister to raise money for the adolescents in the transitional living program and we collected all of the gifts and delivered them to the young men and women at the group home! They weren't all there, so they didn't open the gifts yet, but they were so excited to see that we had brought gifts for them! It is so rewarding to help others when you can, so I encourage you all to do it when you are able. Look closely at this picture and the looks on these young ladies' faces!!

Walter and I went to lunch at Hilltop with Brent & Cathy, and now are just spending a quiet evening at home. It is supposed to get down to 29 degrees here, so we are going to stay inside by the fireplace! Have a great Sunday!

Christmas vacation!!

I made it!! Christmas vacation is finally here and I am so ready for holiday relaxation and fun!! I only worked until noon, but still had a really busy day. One of my best students is being sent to our Alternative school on our 1st day back to school after committing a serious offense this week, and I begged and pleaded those in important places not to send her, but it's one of those situations where you really don't have a choice. Currently our Alternative school stays are 45 days, but as of our 1st day back, it is changing to 90 days, which would mean this student would not finish 8th grade with her class before moving on to high school. While my begging didn't help, I was told that if I could get her enrolled TODAY and have her attend school there TODAY, then she could still qualify for the 45 day program. And yes, you know me, I somehow pulled that off! I got permission from the important people to allow this student to enroll although all of the paperwork wasn't finished and no drug test (which is required) had been done yet, then convinced the parent to meet me with the student at the Alternative school this morning before our 9am meeting to complete the paperwork, and got her in! It wasn't easy, but it's done, and the student should be back at her home school by the first week in March, assuming she doesn't have any behavior problems while she's there. It's just all worth while when you help a child! I wouldn't have even asked, but this girl wont do well at the Alternative school, in my opinion.
So, then I attended that meeting, helped another parent with an issue with her child, then went to a Christmas lunch at our main office. It was a lot of fun and we even had an ornament exchange, which was great! I got a cute teddy bear ornament. And, so, now I'm ready to let my brain rest for a couple of weeks.

I did get word today that the student will be getting the free braces!! An anonymous family donated the money and the student is going the first week in January for an evaluation to see what all she needs to have done. This sort of thing is life-changing for these kids. I am really excited for the girl and her family.

I went last night to a party at my friend, Christine's house. We went to graduate school together, worked at a hospital internship together, and now are in supervision together. She had a party for our colleagues (yes, we have to call each other big words like that now that we are professionals) and we had a great time. We did a white elephant gift exchange and I got some cute Christmasy red votive candle holders. Here are some pictures of us last night:

This is Christine's tree!

This is Aimee, Elizabeth, & Jessica

This is Elizabeth, Judith, Jessica, Jennifer, & Christine

This is Cathy & Rachel

This is me & Amanda

Tonight, I am going to another graduate school friend's party, Becky. It is just a small group of us who get together pretty often. We will have a white elephant gift exchange and some shrimp & crab bisque for dinner! Yummmmy!

I will be going by my Elizabeth's house on my way to Becky's to drop off their Christmas gifts. If you don't know my adoption story, you should read it here. Elizabeth's biological father's family doesn't want anything to do with her, but his best friend wanted to meet her as soon as he knew I had reunited with her and he says she is his niece and he tries to stay in contact with her and the boys. Today, he sent me a check for $200 to give her for Christmas! She is SOOO excited and said she could really use it, so I will bring it by to her today. I am giving her some money too, but she really wanted to be able to spend that on herself, so this will really help out with that.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!! Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then post this on your blog and tag 5 people. Tis' the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? Pretty much as soon as Christmas is over!!!
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, especially a Cajun Eggnog daiquiri
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably a doll...I had hundreds of them
7. Hardest person to buy for? Walter
8. Easiest person to buy for? Landen
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Sometimes none, sometimes mail
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Clothes that aren't my style
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas
13. When do you start shopping? Novemberish
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies

16. Lights on the tree? Have white now but want color!!!!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Blue Christmas
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? dasher, dancer , prancer, vixon, comet, cupid, donner, blitzen and rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Maybe one on Christmas Eve, the rest on Christmas day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? That we allow this holiday to become stressful by focusing on money

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Anything my kids make

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Gumbo
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Wii Fit, Cosmo shaker and glasses
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Lesley
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Dunno

And yes, consider yourself tagged if you want to play along!!

I hope you all have a great Friday night!!!

Counting down!!!

I am in full count down mode!! I have 3 more days of work then I am off until January 5th and I can't wait!!! My job is really cool, but the days off have to be the coolest thing ever!! It's been difficult working with the kids this week because they are all taking mid-terms and doing Christmas things, so I've been seeing them when I can. I bought some cute little Christmas bookmarks for the kids and have been having fun giving those out.

Speaking of midterms, I found out today that Cameron doesn't think he has to do his work in his speech class because it is not a core class. He decided not to do a mid-term paper that counts for a double grade and now will have an F in the class! Yow! He's never made an F on a report card before, so that is something new to deal with, and not because he isn't capable of doing the work, but because he chose not to do FIVE assignments, plus a double grade midterm exam. I talked to his dad tonight, but he is not likely to give Cameron any consequences. It makes it really hard for me, since I have him every other week, but he will be facing some consequences when he comes home.

I went to one of my schools to help with "literacy night" tonight and it was a lot of fun. Most of my schools are in a very impoverished city and it is awesome to see the school and the parents team up together and do something to help. I wasn't expecting to go since nobody mentioned it, but my supervisor called me around 4 (after I got home, put on my warm ups and slippers) and asked if I'd go with her, so yeah. I am glad I went, but it wasn't easy to get myself there!!

We had a crazy thing happen in the neighborhood this week. Walter is the president of the homeowners association, so we get calls about all the neighborhood happenings. Someone called yesterday to say that someone had vandalized one of the security cameras at the front of our subdivision. We have 4, but only 1 is really low enough to notice. So, we went to check the video on the cameras and could see the guy walk up with a GIANT stick and just smash the camera!! It was at 5:30am when it was still pretty dark, but you could see the guy pretty clearly. We called the sheriff's department last night and an officer came out to file a report. We found out today that a neighbor who watched the video of the incident recognized her brother who was drunk and angry when he left her house because she took his car keys away! She is planning to pay for the camera and doesn't want us to report him to the police. Can we say ENABLING??

And yeah, I had some good news today!!! If you've been coming here awhile, I found a church who was offering to provide free braces to a needy child last summer and referred one of my students, who was chosen! His teeth were really bad and he was teased a lot, and now, his teeth are wonderful and not even an issue anymore. Well, a teacher talked to me about a student at a different school who has really bad teeth, so I emailed the church again last week. I got an email today saying an anonymous family had asked them to find a needy child to provide braces for!!!! I just have to get the mom to agree and to make sure they have transportation there. How cool is that?

And thank you for all the comments yesterday! I wasn't ranting about those of you who leave comments sometimes and sometimes don't. It is more about those who read blogs and never comment. I want to know you are here, so please leave me some love so I can visit your blog too!

50 random things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1. Do you like cheese? Yes

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes and thank God I quit about 8 years ago

3. Do you own a gun? Yes, a 357 magnum - I got it when the Baton Rouge serial killer killed a girl on my street - and yes, I can use it

4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Not too much

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Yuck!

7. Favorite Christmas song? Blue Christmas

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Diet Dr. Pepper

9. Can you do push ups? No

10. Who is your favorite Grey's Anatomy Character? I've never seen it

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding rings

12. Favorite hobby? CoMpUtEr!!

13. Do you eat "exotic" foods? No

14. Do you have A.D.D.? No

15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? Impulsive

16. Middle Name? Cecile

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm tired, there's a mosquito inside, I love my white zinfandel

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Sensation salad, Christmas present, Christmas present

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink: Diet Dr. Pepper, Wine, Coke Zero

20. Current worry right now? JP

21. Current hate? Hate is a very strong word

22. Favorite place to be? Pensacola, FL

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Home with Walter

24. Where would you like to go? Cozumel, Mexico

25. Name three people who will complete this? Don't know!

26. Do you own flip flops? Yes, a pair to match each bathing suit

27. What shirt are you wearing? Jammy shirt

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No

29. Can you whistle? Not really

30. Favorite color? Blue

31. Would you be a pirate? No

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Only take baths

33. Favorite girl's name? Katelyn

34. Favorite boy's name? Cameron

35. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets

36. Last thing that made you laugh? Text from Christine

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Flowers

38. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken arm

39. Do you love where you live? Yes!!!

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4

41. Who is your loudest friend? Dana

42. How many dogs do you have? ZERO

43. Does someone have a crush on you? My husband does

44. Hmmm.. there's not a 44.

45. What is your favorite book? Anything by Danielle Steele

46. What is your favorite candy? Hershey bar with almonds

47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? Yes!!

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? High by James Blunt

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? THREE MORE DAYS!!!!

Sunday

Well, here I am again, finally. I've reached a point where my blog isn't working for me. I'm a very honest and open person, so while I don't want to offend anyone, I do want to be honest about how I feel. I want to continue blogging, but I feel like I'm sharing myself, my world, and my blog with all who want to see, and not getting much back in return. Sure, there are those awesome 10 - 12 people who will actually take the time to leave a comment showing me that they were here, they care about what I have to say, and offering me the chance to know who they are and check out their blog. And then, I see that I am getting 60+ people a day coming to my blog. What's up with that? Why would you read a person's blog daily, just to move on and not let them know you are there? I am tempted to make my blog private so that I'm only sharing myself with those who are willing to share with me. I'm not at all concerned how many comments I get, but good lawd, if you're getting to know me, let me have the chance to get to know you! And here's something else. I was trying to read and comment on all the blogs on my list and it was like a chore keeping up. Then it hit me. Why am I going through all that trouble and stressing myself out trying to "be there" and let people know that I'm reading their blogs too. I started out only worrying about commenting back on those who comment on my blog, then get to the rest if I feel like it. I found that was much more satisfying, so that is what I'll continue to do. And at that point, I was only really reading 8 - 10 blogs, but hey, a relationship is a 2-way thing and I chose to go that route. With all that said, I would love to have anyone visit my blog, but would greatly appreciate the chance to know who you are and visit your blog. Anywho, I'm going to try to come back and do what I was enjoying - blogging and getting to know people. And I know I am preaching to the choir, because those of you who are going to leave a comment are likely the ones who do anyway! Just think people about why you're here. Why not let the rest of us know! And I'm not talking about my friends who come here that don't have blogs of their own. I know you're here and am glad you enjoy my blog too.

So, for the first time in 10 or more years, we got snow this week! And for the first time in my whole life, we got A LOT of it. It was very beautiful, but also very dangerous for us here. We are not equipped for snow here and don't know how to do anything in it, like drive. I attempted to go to work Tuesday during the snowfall, and my car skidded on ice on a small bridge and hit the side of the guard rail. I wasn't hurt and my car only got some chipped metal on the wheels, but it shook me up enough that I just drove home and didn't leave again all day. Cameron's school was closed the whole day (he goes in a different parish than I work in) and my schools closed at 11. His parish was on top of that and did the right thing, in my opinion. It was dangerous to get all those kids out in busses, and then turn around and bring them back home in that mess.

I've almost finished Christmas shopping and I do nearly everything online. I hate the crowds and discovered the wonders of online shopping and free shipping years ago. There are a few things that I'll have to go out and get, and I'll do that this week. My family has decided to only buy gifts for the kids and grandkids, so that equals 5 gifts, and Walter's family draws names, so we have 3 gifts to buy there. That is SUCH a nice thing, considering we usually buy something for everyone in my family (11) and something for all of the kids in Walter's family (lost count, but at least 20). Sean & Cameron really just want money, so we'll get a small something for them to put under the tree. I save JP's money in our account so that when he gets home someday, he will have some money to get a used car or something. Then I have money for Elizabeth & her boyfriend, unless she tells me something she wants. Sometimes she will, but so far not this year. I've bought gifts for Landen, Bradley, & Mack, and I think we're done except for Walter & I getting each other's gifts. I have bought all but 2 things for him, but he's a wait-til-the-last-minute kind of shopper, so I have seen one thing under the tree for me so far! There really isn't much I asked for, so it will be fun to be surprised!

Speaking of JP, he is doing really well. He usually goes through a depression when the trial is reset, but seems to be fine right now. He is writing to friends a lot and has been drawing like crazy. It's so neat to see him rediscover something that was so important to him when he was little. He is sending out personalized drawings to different people, and it's really helping him to have that to fall back on. The trial date is now 4/27, so we'll just hurry up and wait some more. My friend, Lesley, & I are planning a trip to visit him Jan. 9 - 11, and my sister says she will visit him this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed on that!

I have been busy helping other people with Christmas this year. My friends and I always adopt a family to provide their Christmas presents. I like to pick a family where the parent works but is just struggling. We have done that this year for a wonderful family, and then I got word from a youth minister that I know (who worked with JP a lot when he was younger), and she is collecting money for an adolescent group home for Christmas. These kids are homeless, throw-a-ways, or foster care children and most are reaching the age where they will have to move into their own apartments and take care of themselves. They are all working and in school and 80% of their income is being saved to help them once they graduate, so they asked us to help raise money for gift cards to give them so they can buy things for their new homes. How awesome is that? So, I've been working on collecting money for that and we will deliver the gift cards to them on Saturday. If anyone wants to donate, just let me know! It's a wonderful cause!

Walter & I went to his office Christmas party last night and it was fun. They had a band and some wonderful catered food. They give door prizes and always get enough to make sure every couple gets something. We won a camoflauge duffle bag, which we decided will end up under the tree for Cameron, since he is a hunter.

This is a picture from our night with my brother, Kenny, who was in town from Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. His original plans included attending JP's trial, but he decided to still come visit friends and family in Baton Rouge even though the trial plans were changed. He spent the night with us Monday night and we enjoyed having him here.

This is me and my baby brother. He is 18 months younger than me, but he's not all that little! He is 6'5 and I am only 5'9.

It's amazing what kids will do for others that they would never do for their parents. My brother got Cameron to put on a Sombrero in a Mexican restaurant when we went out to eat Monday night.
This is my great-nephew, Elijah. Isn't he sweet? My sister sent me this the other day, then told me that her son, who just had a baby girl with a different girlfriend, has now left that girlfriend. Yikes. At least my sister isn't having to keep the baby 3 - 4 days a week like she does Elijah, but still.

I hope that you all have a great weekend. And leave me a comment to let me know you are here!!!