One of my favorite things

One of my favorite things in life is Saturday morning breakfasts with my hubby! We go out just about every Saturday morning and I love it. Sometimes it's McDonald's for a Big Breakfast and a Deluxe Breakfast. Sometimes it's Krispy Kreme for the chocolate covered creme-filled and an original donut. We've even been known to go to Golden Coral for a little bit of everything! Today we tried a new place - The Rain Cafe. Pretty ironic since it hardly ever rains here! Still, it was delish!

I love this simple pleasure!!!

Do NOT Try This at Home!

I love being a Preschool Director! I get to experience so many firsts and it's wonderful. After being in this field for over 20 years, I figured I had probably seen most of the "firsts". Well, this was one I have certainly never experienced.....

We have a beautiful 3-year-old girl.....Let's call her *. You know the type - Strawberry blonde hair, big eyes, big smile, sweet personality. She's always "dressed" from head to toe, including those big colorful bows. Both of her parents are professional people and are always smartly dressed as well. Got a good picture in your mind?

Well, *'s breath suddenly started SMELLING!! Not just a little, but HORRIBLY so! Eye watering, knock you over, gag you, kind of filthy stench! We couldn't figure it out. Everything seemed the same. We washed her hands and face frequently and gave her good-smelling lotion. We figured maybe she had a bad sinus infection or maybe a cavity.

On Monday, her mom came in, asking us if we noticed that * really STUNK!! She said the same thing -- they had been giving * bath after bath, had put tons of lotion on her, etc. Still, no one could find the source.

When mom was helping * blow her nose, she said, "Ow Mommy. Wipee." OMG - this precious girl had stuck a wipee UP HER NOSE without telling anyone and it had been there for A WEEK!!! When mom finally got it out............ It was too terrible for me to even write!

Now, * doesn't stink! She smells just like a sweet little 3-year-old girl should smell!! : )

Moral: Don't put a wet wipee up your nose and leave it there for a week!

Christmas tablescape

Well, after about a year of stalking - I mean following!! : ) so many wonderful blogs with beautiful tablescapes, I decided to post one of my own. It's not as fancy as so many others, but it's beautiful to Dr. D and me. We've been happy to share it with friends and family. Thanks for bearing with me as I share our Christmas table.
(I didn't think about taking all the detail pictures. I'll get better before my next tablescape post.)

The tablecloth is a true red, with a velvet border. There are embroidered poinsettias and leaves on each of the 4 corners. I purchased it at Target after Christmas 2008. The candle holders were a new purchase this year. I bought the set at Walgreens for $5! I love that they are different heights - no need for hidden lifts! : )

I bought my Christmas dishes many years ago at K-Mart. Unfortunately, I only bought a service for 4. I've been looking for more pieces, but haven't had any luck. Has anyone seen this pattern lately??

The glasses were a lucky Goodwill find.

It's called Poinsettia Ribbon and it's made by Fairfield.

The green salad plates are Bordello. I found 4 at a local antique mall and I love them. Sorry - I forgot to take a picture of the back.

I topped the plates with a green napkin with a simple faux poinsettia tucked inside.

Hmmm....not sure why the fork looks so crooked. It's really just a normal fork!!

Well, that's my table. Not too fancy - not too plain - it's just right for us! Thanks for looking!

Now, head back to Between Naps on the Porch and check out all the other beautiful tablescapes.

Blessings!!

10,000 step club

Some teachers at work have started a new club - the 10,000 Step Club. I joined, thinking I walk a lot during the day.....this can't be that hard. HA!! The first week, I logged about a third of what I should have. What?? Walking up and down that long hall doesn't add up to 10,000 steps? Well, today I logged about 6,000! Whew! I say "about" because I just discovered that I accidentally hit reset! Augh! OK - tomorrow I have another chance to hit that magical number.

More on Coach Leach....
I'm NOT saying that he shouldn't have been fired. I don't know the facts. Maybe there were lots of things that went on that culminated in his termination. I just know that the Tech administration did a terrible, dirty-handed job with the whole situation. If the few emails that have been released are any indication, then this firing has been in the planning for a long time, and that's just wrong. Come on - this is the same administration that not only courted, but worshiped Coach Bobby Knight and there are tapes and personal (undisputed) testimonies describing his abuse against players. Coach Leach is accused by 1 player and he is fired? Where was the investigation? Where is the equity? I know he isn't coming back. He's gone and we have a new coach. The problem is the administration is still here - still doing what they've done all along. It's just wrong! OK. I'm through ranting. I will try not to write anymore about this. No guarantees, though.....

Coach Leach and Tech football fans got screwed!

I haven't posted in a week because I haven't had time! I've been obsessed - spending every available moment focusing on the firing of TTU Head Coach Mike Leach!

What happened to him (and to the fans!) was horrible!! Even IF there were grounds for termination, how the Tech Admin handled the situation was so terrible! (Btw - the jury is definitely still out on whether there were in fact legitmate grounds!) Yes, there's no doubt - Coach Leach is well, UNIQUE!

That doesn't make him a terrible person. Yes, he had an ego - Tell me a football coach anywhere who doesn't! Still, NO ONE can argue what he brought to Tech and to Lubbock. He was the Big 12 Coach of the Year and took us to Bowl Games each of the 10 years he was here. He gave us winning seasons and made it fun to go to the games.

Dr. Dave and I have taken my mil to every home game for the last several years. We honestly don't know if we'll renew our tickets for the 2010. We support the TEAM but we DO NOT support the Tech ADMINISTRATION!!!!

Dr. Dave and I each have 2 degrees from Tech and have always been proud Red Raiders. With this fiasco, we are embarassed. It's time for the NCAA and others to get involved. The politics within the university STINK!

Still, Go RAIDERS!

TIRED!

Whew - I'm beat today! 7 of the 21 teachers were out today, and 1 spot has yet to be filled. That, plus tons of phone calls and people coming in and out of my office and a morning meeting. Whew! I had purposefully left today pretty open, but not to deal with all of this. Oh my! Good thing I love my job!! ; )

January 2010 - a new year and a new blog entry

Yes, I've been a terrible blogger. Had so many good intentions, but....... So, here's a new opportunity. I love to decorate my home for Christmas! It makes everything seem so much homey-er. Is that even a real word??? Anyway, I love how my home looks when it's so bright and festive! I generally put the same things out every year, but I try to vary how I put them together. I think it's fun! Before I take everything down and store them in the garage, I thought I'd post some of my favorite decorations. WARNING - This post is photo-intense! Even though I didn't post any of the close-ups, there are still lots of pictures. Just smile and nod.......

Collection of Santas on the mantle. My mother-in-law made the stockings.

Carousel horse ornaments. My dream is to have enough to fill a tree. I have 19 right now, so I'm on my way!

Purple is my favorite color, so guess what -- our formal tree is purple! It is 10 feet tall and full of purple, silver, and white. I LOVE IT!!

Riley waiting under the tree. I'm sure she's wishing for the 18" long rawhide bone that Santa had ready to put in her stocking!!

Our family tree is in the Scrapbook Room. I love it. It's filled with ornaments that are special to us as a couple. We've added ones from trips along with special wedding ornaments and keepsakes. This tree just makes me happy.

Gingerbread in the dining room.

Poinsettas on the table. I bought these dishes years ago at K-Mart. At the time, I only wanted a set of 4. Now of course, I wish I had at least 6. Looks like I'm on another search.....more poinsetta dishes!

Snow Village collection. I really like the different villages that you can find, but my first one was the original - Dept. 56 Snow Villages. I'll stick with this one. I just love all the houses and businesses.

I don't like how the cords show, but I haven't figured out a good way to hide them. I don't want to cut a hole in this bookcase. Any ideas??

Angel tree in the Master Bedroom.

My dad built the clock for me several years ago. I LOVE it!

Guest bath. My grandmother and great-grandmother made the crochet ornaments. I LOVE them! My grandmother's tree was always filled with them, so having them hang in my house brings her a little closer.

My mom made the wall hanging. I have matching pillows in my bedroom.

Who knows what I'll do next year! I have 10 months to plan! Yippee!!